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Published online 6 November 2008 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2008.1213

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Asian monsoon cycle disrupted by man-made climate change

Chinese stalagmite reveals low rainfalls that may have brought down dynasties.

A 1,800-year-old stalagmite from a Chinese cave has revealed that, in the past, warmer years were associated with stronger East Asian monsoons. That was true until just 50 years ago, when the relationship broke down because of man-made greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.

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  • Nice, Climate change, green house gases, 18O levels in present times can be understood, But it would be very interesting to know what could have been the reason behind climate changes back then. Just a curiosity.

    • 07 Nov, 2008
    • Posted by: Ashwanth Christopher Francis
  • Editors, attention please. The title of this article is backward as it states the monsoon cycle is disrupted by man-made climate change. In fact, the first paragraph makes clear the article is about natural climate change disrupting asian dynasties.

    • 12 Nov, 2008
    • Posted by: IAN LEE