# What produced the platinum spike in the GISP2 ice core near the Younger Dryas onset? · Younger Dryas impact hypothesis > Four answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Four are still possible. Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/younger-dryas-impact/questions/QST0D51X92023AG/what-produced-the-platinum-spike-in-the-gisp2-ice-core-near Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:59:09+00:00 --- **0** # What produced the platinum spike in the GISP2 ice core near the Younger Dryas onset? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·4 answers·0·0 following **Four answers, none ahead** None is ahead yet. See what would settle it. ## Where it stands Four answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Four are still possible. ## Why it matters It is the one signal both sides accept as real and anomalous. The Pt/Ir ratio exceeds all known terrestrial and extraterrestrial materials⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D51WQZ44MRA/large-pt-anomaly-in-the-greenland-ice-core-points-to-a), and the spike's source is still argued⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D51WX364VFQ/a-possible-volcanic-origin-for-the-greenland-ice-core-pt). ## Answers 4 [**An iridium-poor, highly differentiated iron meteorite.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/younger-dryas-impact/answers/ANS0D51XHV87VMD/an-iridium-poor-highly-differentiated-iron-meteorite) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 1 for, 1 against Still possible [**Fractionated gas condensates from an unidentified volcanic eruption, probably an Icelandic subglacial or…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/younger-dryas-impact/answers/ANS0D51XJJP1YXQ/fractionated-gas-condensates-from-an-unidentified-volcanic) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 2 for, 1 against Still possible [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/younger-dryas-impact/answers/ANS0D51XM9C2F5Y/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**The Laacher See eruption.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/younger-dryas-impact/answers/ANS0D51XKHY6GWP/the-laacher-see-eruption) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 2 against Disputed ## History 1. 2013[Petaev et al. puts forward: an iridium-poor, highly differentiated iron meteorite.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D51WQZ44MRA/large-pt-anomaly-in-the-greenland-ice-core-points-to-a) 1. 2013[Petaev et al.: superchondritic Pt/Al and fractionated Pt/Ir ratios exclude mantle and chondritic sources.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D51WQZ44MRA/large-pt-anomaly-in-the-greenland-ice-core-points-to-a)For: An iridium-poor, highly differentiated iron meteorite. 1. 2021[Reinig et al.: the eruption is dated about 130 years before the onset.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D51WTD82RD0/precise-date-for-the-laacher-see-eruption-synchronizes-the)Against: The Laacher See eruption. 1. 2025[Green et al. puts forward: fractionated gas condensates from an unidentified volcanic eruption, probably an Icelandic subglacial or…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D51WX364VFQ/a-possible-volcanic-origin-for-the-greenland-ice-core-pt) 1. 2025[Green et al. puts forward: the Laacher See eruption.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D51WX364VFQ/a-possible-volcanic-origin-for-the-greenland-ice-core-pt) 1. 2025[Green et al.: the spike spans about 14 years.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D51WX364VFQ/a-possible-volcanic-origin-for-the-greenland-ice-core-pt)Against: An iridium-poor, highly differentiated iron meteorite. 1. 2025[Green et al.: no eruption has been identified for the interval.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D51WX364VFQ/a-possible-volcanic-origin-for-the-greenland-ice-core-pt)Against: Fractionated gas condensates from an unidentified volcanic eruption, probably an Icelandic subglacial or… 1. 2025[Green et al.: platinum-group patterns in submarine volcanic gas condensates (Niuatahi-Motutahi, Tonga) resemble the spike.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D51WX364VFQ/a-possible-volcanic-origin-for-the-greenland-ice-core-pt)For: Fractionated gas condensates from an unidentified volcanic eruption, probably an Icelandic subglacial or… 1. 2025[Green et al.: new platinum and iridium data from the tephra do not match the spike.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D51WX364VFQ/a-possible-volcanic-origin-for-the-greenland-ice-core-pt)Against: The Laacher See eruption. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/younger-dryas-impact/questions/QST0D51X92023AG/what-produced-the-platinum-spike-in-the-gisp2-ice-core-near%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/younger-dryas-impact/questions/QST0D51X92023AG/what-produced-the-platinum-spike-in-the-gisp2-ice-core-near%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/younger-dryas-impact/questions/QST0D51X92023AG/what-produced-the-platinum-spike-in-the-gisp2-ice-core-near%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/younger-dryas-impact/questions/QST0D51X92023AG/what-produced-the-platinum-spike-in-the-gisp2-ice-core-near%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/younger-dryas-impact/questions/QST0D51X92023AG/what-produced-the-platinum-spike-in-the-gisp2-ice-core-near%23add-source) Where it fits Younger Dryas impact hypothesis **What produced the platinum spike in the GISP2 ice core near the Younger Dryas onset?** Key question · you're here [ Ask a question under this one ]