Soil Cracking During Droughts Releases Deep Carbon Dioxide

New research indicates that intense droughts create deep cracks in the soil, allowing carbon dioxide stored for centuries to escape into the atmosphere. This process creates a feedback loop where higher temperatures lead to more drought and further carbon release. These emissions are currently missing from most global climate models, meaning future warming projections may be underestimated. The study highlights the vulnerability of terrestrial carbon sinks under extreme weather conditions.