A new study from the University of Oregon reveals that ancient landslides along the Oregon Coast store far more carbon than previously estimated. Researchers analyzed nearly 10,000 landslides, ranging from 4 to 480,000 years old, and found that older landslides have denser soil that holds more carbon. The findings could inform carbon markets by providing data on how mountainous landscapes naturally sequester carbon. The study, published in Science Advances, used tree ring dating and soil sampling to measure carbon content. Lead researcher Josh Roering notes that understanding these natural carbon stores is critical for climate mitigation efforts. This research highlights the importance of considering geological carbon storage alongside forests and other ecosystems in climate policy and carbon offset programs.
