Introduction
A recent study published in the Communications Earth & Environment journal analyzed the history of extreme rainfall in southern Brazil through a cave in Paraná. The result showed that the frequency of these events in the 20th century is among the highest in the entire historical series and pointed out two factors that influence this process: climate variability in Antarctica and the occurrence of El Niño.
The Malfazido Cave: A Climate Archive
The Malfazido Cave, located in Doutor Ulysses, in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, holds a “climate archive” of the last 7,500 years. Scientists discovered that periods of summer with lower temperatures in Western Antarctica tend to coincide with more extreme events in the south.
Analysis Methods
Researchers analyzed speleothems, mineral formations created by the deposition and crystallization of minerals dissolved in water. The stalagmites were dated using isotopic methods, which analyze the proportion of certain chemical elements that function as a “natural clock” to calculate the age of the samples.
Results and Implications
The study suggests that global warming may be contributing to the intensification of extreme climate events. Therefore, it emphasizes the need to create mitigation and adaptation strategies, especially for communities that are more vulnerable and exposed to extreme climate events.
Conclusion
In summary, the study carried out in the Malfazido Cave provides a unique insight into the history of extreme rainfall in southern Brazil and highlights the importance of considering climate variability in Antarctica and the occurrence of El Niño in the prediction and mitigation of extreme climate events.
References
Source: ClimaInfo
Source / Reference: https://climainfo.org.br/2026/06/29/caverna-no-parana-revela-influencia-do-el-nino-em-chuvas-extremas-no-sul/