Cycles revealed in Jurassic paleoclimatic data (ca. 200–145 Ma B.P.)

Abstract

Limestone varves from the Todilto Basin, New Mexico (United States), are studied. These deposits cover a time interval of 1592 years and belong to the Jurassic (ca. 200–145 Ma B.P.). Via the construction of a combined spectral periodogram, quasiharmonic components are revealed in the initial data. The periods of these components are close to the basic contemporary solar activity cycles: the periods of 13 and 20 years agree with the Schwabe and Hale cycles; that of 78 years is in accord with the Gleissberg cycle (with both branches of 69 and 105 years represented); and the components of 179 and 235 years can be probably related to the Suess or de Vries cycles. The results indicate the influence of solar activity on the terrestrial climate in the geological past.