Photo / Greg BowkerResearchers studying Antarctic ice have discovered evidence that early Māori land-burning caused a major rise in carbon emissions 700 years ago. Scientists from the British Antarctic Survey made the discovery when examining ice-core samples taken from James Ross Island in Antarctica. They found that levels of black carbon, or soot, began to increase dramatically about 700 years ago. Atmospheric modelling showed the scientists that the soot could have come from either Patagonia, Tasmania or New Zealand. But it was only here that the charcoal record showed any significant burning around 1300.

Source: New Zealand Herald October 08, 2021 00:01 UTC