Scientists Link Mysterious Icelandic Rocks to ‘Little’ Ice Age—and Rome’s Downfall

Many historians agree that the fall of the Western Roman Empire, usually dated to the fall of ancient Rome in 476 CE, marked the end of classical antiquity. What they don’t always agree on, however, is what caused the Empire’s infamous decline. Theories include poor management, pressure from Germanic people, the rise of Christianity, overpopulation, worsening defenses—and even the unfortunate timing of a brief ice age. A multidisciplinary team has revealed new insight into what’s known as the Late Antique Little Ice Age (LALIA), which is exactly what it sounds like: an ice age that lasted “only” for two to three centuries starting around 540 CE. As detailed in a study published April 8 in the journal Geology, the team discovered rocks in Iceland that had likely traveled to the island from Greenland via icebergs during the LALIA. This period of intense cooling—as represented by the rocks’ ancient journey across the Denmark Strait—may have played a role in the fall of one of the world’s ... Read full article.