Nature 291, 624 - 628 (25 June 1981); doi:10.1038/291624a0

Sunspot periods in the late Precambrian glacial climate and solar−planetary relations

G. E. Williams

Exploration Department, The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited, PO Box 559, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia

Cycles conspicuous in late Precambrian (680 Myr) glacial varves in Australia reveal strong climatic periods of about 11, 22, 145 and 290 yr and a weaker period near 90 yr. The 11-, 22- and 90-yr cycles equate with sunspot periods, and the longer cycles with solar and climatic periods as indicated by tree-ring studies. The varve cycles provide clear evidence of 11- and 22-yr climatic periods in the geological record and may carry important implications for solar physics and planetary science.

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