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Ancient Climate Record Reveals Southwest's Stressful Future

11/26/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Oregon State University researchers document a 580,000-year climate record from a calcite deposit in Devils Hole cave, Nevada.
The study, published in Nature Communications, shows alternating glacial and interglacial periods in the region.
During warmer periods, groundwater levels drop sharply and vegetation declines.
The findings imply the Southwest is entering a historically stressed phase and may inform future climate strategies.

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Story summary

Oregon State University researchers document a 580,000-year climate record from a calcite deposit in Devils Hole cave, Nevada.
The study, published in Nature Communications, shows alternating glacial and interglacial periods in the region.
During warmer periods, groundwater levels drop sharply and vegetation declines.
The findings imply the Southwest is entering a historically stressed phase and may inform future climate strategies.