A new study reveals how earthquakes and storms can significantly increase the export of organic carbon from forests, impacting the carbon cycle. Researchers analyzed sediment records from two lakes in New Zealand's Southern Alps, revealing a link between tectonic and climatic events and carbon export.
The study found that earthquakes and storms trigger pulsed increases in sediment and organic carbon export over decades. Precipitation variability due to climate change also influences long-term patterns of carbon export from terrestrial ecosystems.
The findings highlight the importance of extreme events in shaping carbon dynamics and suggest that short-term carbon yield estimates may underestimate long-term carbon export. This research provides insights into the complex interplay between geological events, climate, and the carbon cycle.