Linkages between glacial cycles and volcanism on land and undersea: evidence and emerging questions

Glacial cycles transfer mass between continents and oceans changing the pressure regimes for subaerial and submarine volcanoes. Historical evidence from subaerial eruptions suggests an augmentation of volcanism during deglaciation. This could produce a pulse of CO2 that contributes to the abrupt terminations of glacial cycles. Modeling of melting beneath ocean ridges suggests a change of plus or minus ten percent in melt production owing to glacially mediated sea level change. This could produce changes in ocean floor bathymetry and hydrothermal activity, and emerging evidence suggests such changes exist. Coupled feedback between subaerial and submarine process could have a major influence on the carbon cycle associated with glacial cycles.