The article discusses the discovery of a significant solar catastrophe 14,350 years ago, identifies it as the largest solar event known to date and involves the so-called "ancient 12,350 BCE solar storm," which was found to be 18% stronger than the renowned 2005 superstorm. The study, led by researchers from the University of Oulu in Finland, utilized a novel chemistry–climate modeling framework called SOCOL:14C-Ex to reconstruct solar particle storms under ancient glacial conditions. This model helped demonstrate that the detected event was approximately 18 percent stronger than the 1960 Carrington Event and over 500 times more intense than the enduring Holocene epoch, which marks大约12,000 years of stable, warm climate.
The researchers used a robust method to date and reconstruct radiation levels in the tree-ring profiles of the tree stumps found in the Drouzet River in the French Alps. This approach provided an unprecedented insight into the timing of solar events across large temporal scales. The study highlights the power of modern science to bridge ancient records with modern observations, offering new perspectives on the connection between solar activity and environmental changes.
By utilizing these insights, the researchers not only refined our understanding of solar particle storms but also expanded the capabilities of radiocarbon dating to ancient times. Their findings have
allowed scientists to pinpoint specific calendar years for floating and historical chronicles, as demonstrated by their application to Viking axe findings in Newfoundland and the Neolithic stone quests in Greece. The radiocarbon records from ancient wood samples revealed that the 12,350 BCE solar event was the only known instance of a solar particle event outside the "Holocene" epoch, marking a breakthrough in our understanding of the cyclical nature of solar activity.
The SOCOL:14C-Ex model developed by Golubenko and Usoskin represents a significant advancement in bridging chemistry and climate science. This tool enables scientists to study the effects of extreme solar particle storms on ecosystems, particularly through their impact on tree rings. Each section of the tree, from one year to the next, provides unique clues about the environmental and chemical conditions the tree experienced, leading to precise reconstructions of past climates and solar activity.
The study underscores the profound implications of this discovery for climate science and technology. It illustrates how a single solar event, occurring approximately 5,000 years ago, could be the cause of such a massive(/tree-ring) climate change, even collapse of the carbon cycle. The researchers also addressed the need for further research into other solar events, such as 7,176 BCE and 5,259 BCE, which have been unobserved in the archaeological record. Furthermore, their work opens new avenues in radiometric dating, enabling scientists to date ancient progenitors of modern species beyond restricted respects.
In conclusion, the discovery revealed an unprecedented solar catastrophe that has far-reaching implications for both the natural world and the technologies we rely on today. By combining insights from astrophysics, climate science, and archaeology, this study not only deepens our understanding of the Earth’s most enduring phenomena but also highlights the need for improved methods to track and date ancient records. The findings are previewed as a critical step Toward a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of the solar cycle and its impact on the Earth’s environment and society.
