Mystery Solved: What Slowed Siberian Pines in 1700?

In the Western Sayan Mountains of Southern Siberia, scientists found something peculiar. The tree rings of Siberian pines (Pinus sibirica) suddenly shrank in size around 1700 CE. This wasn't just a small hiccup; it was a significant drop that lasted a decade. Tree rings often tell us about past temperatures, so what caused this growth slowdown? Researchers looked at tree rings from different sites and climate data to find answers. They discovered that the cold weather of the Little Ice Age, along with extreme weather events called "dzuds, " might have been to blame. Additionally, a big volcanic eruption in the tropics in 1695 could have changed the weather patterns, making things even worse for the trees. This event was recorded in the rings of pines and larches across the Altai-Sayan region.