Earth's atmosphere during the Cretaceous warmest period had significantly higher carbon dioxide concentrations

the verdict

SUPPORTED

the evidence backs this

Recorded sources

3 sources for · 0 against

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Is it true that Earth's atmosphere during the Cretaceous warmest period had significantly higher carbon dioxide concentrations?

Yes. Geological and proxy evidence consistently indicates that Earth's atmosphere featured significantly elevated carbon dioxide concentrations during the warm periods of the Cretaceous.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 3 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 4 Aug 2026

The analysis

The retrieved literature consistently supports the geological consensus that the Cretaceous greenhouse climate was driven by and associated with significantly elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, especially during its warmest mid-Cretaceous phases.

Evidence for · 3

Paleo-CO2 variation trends and the Cretaceous greenhouse climate

2014

The study outlines how Cretaceous atmospheric CO2 levels remained relatively high during this greenhouse period, peaking in the mid-Cretaceous.

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Wang, Y., Huang, C., Sun, B., Quan, C., Wu, J., & Lin, Z. (2014). Paleo-CO2 variation trends and the Cretaceous greenhouse climate. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EARSCIREV.2013.11.001

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More for · 2

Relict sand wedges suggest a high altitude and cold temperature during the Early Cretaceous in the Ordos Basin, North China

2022

The paper confirms the Cretaceous as a typical greenhouse period characterized by relatively high atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and temperatures.

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Wang, Y., Peng, N., Kuang, H., Zhao, F., Liu, Y., Yang, Z., Cui, M., Chen, X., Qiao, D., & Qi, K. (2022). Relict sand wedges suggest a high altitude and cold temperature during the Early Cretaceous in the Ordos Basin, North China. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1080/00206814.2022.2081938

Expedition 392 Scientific Prospectus: Agulhas Plateau Cretaceous Climate

2020

The research notes that elevated CO2 levels during the mid-Cretaceous supergreenhouse interval resulted in significant global warmth.

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Uenzelmann‐Neben, G., Bohaty, S., & Kulhanek, D. (2020). Expedition 392 Scientific Prospectus: Agulhas Plateau Cretaceous Climate. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.14379/iodp.sp.392.2020

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first checked04 Aug 2026

judged → SUPPORTED · 9004 Aug 2026

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