# Do the two 2025 PLOS One papers, retracted in February 2026, still add evidence for an impact? · Younger Dryas impact hypothesis > Three answers have been proposed. The results do not support the conclusions because the age models, sampling and some identifications fail. leads, with… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/younger-dryas-impact/questions/QST0D51X9SE7KQA/do-the-two-2025-plos-one-papers-retracted-in-february-2026 Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:59:09+00:00 --- **0** # Do the two 2025 PLOS One papers, retracted in February 2026, still add evidence for an impact? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [Is the claimed boundary layer the same age at every site?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/younger-dryas-impact/questions/QST0D51X8JC0DHZ/is-the-claimed-boundary-layer-the-same-age-at-every-site)·3 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: the results do not support the conclusions because the age models, sampling and some identifications fail** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. The results do not support the conclusions because the age models, sampling and some identifications fail. leads, with evidence 4 for: supported by its tests. Two are still possible. ## Why it matters They were the newest field evidence, from Baffin Bay and from three classic North American sites, and their retraction notices name the specific failures⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D51WWBR25YC/retraction-a-12-800-year-old-layer-with-cometary-dust)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D51WWKJ0X43/retraction-shocked-quartz-at-the-younger-dryas-onset-12-8-ka). Most authors dispute the retractions⁠[[3]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D51WWVC7CFZ/controversial-comet-theory-struck-by-two-new-retractions). ## Answers 3 [**The results do not support the conclusions because the age models, sampling and some identifications fail.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/younger-dryas-impact/answers/ANS0D51XRP06ZVW/the-results-do-not-support-the-conclusions-because-the-age) Supported by its tests Evidence: 4 for Most likely [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/younger-dryas-impact/answers/ANS0D51XSX20SPY/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**The data and conclusions stand; the problems were procedural and could have been corrected.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/younger-dryas-impact/answers/ANS0D51XR6C3ZJZ/the-data-and-conclusions-stand-the-problems-were-procedural) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 1 for Disputed ## History 1. 2026[Brown puts forward: the data and conclusions stand; the problems were procedural and could have been corrected.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D51WWVC7CFZ/controversial-comet-theory-struck-by-two-new-retractions) 1. 2026[The PLOS One Editors puts forward: the results do not support the conclusions because the age models, sampling and some identifications fail.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D51WWKJ0X43/retraction-shocked-quartz-at-the-younger-dryas-onset-12-8-ka) 1. 2026[Brown: lead author Christopher Moore said the group remains confident in the data, methods and conclusions.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D51WWVC7CFZ/controversial-comet-theory-struck-by-two-new-retractions)For: The data and conclusions stand; the problems were procedural and could have been corrected. 1. 2026[The PLOS One Editors: recommended calibration of the Baffin Bay dates gives younger ages outside the Younger Dryas, and one core…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D51WWBR25YC/retraction-a-12-800-year-old-layer-with-cometary-dust)For: The results do not support the conclusions because the age models, sampling and some identifications fail. 1. 2026[The PLOS One Editors: the shocked-quartz age model omitted available dates and the sections were not fully sampled.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D51WWKJ0X43/retraction-shocked-quartz-at-the-younger-dryas-onset-12-8-ka)For: The results do not support the conclusions because the age models, sampling and some identifications fail. 1. 2026[Brown: a co-author acknowledged at least 43 incorrect references.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D51WWVC7CFZ/controversial-comet-theory-struck-by-two-new-retractions)For: The results do not support the conclusions because the age models, sampling and some identifications fail. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/younger-dryas-impact/questions/QST0D51X9SE7KQA/do-the-two-2025-plos-one-papers-retracted-in-february-2026%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/QST0D51X9SE7KQA/do-the-two-2025-plos-one-papers-retracted-in-february-2026%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/QST0D51X9SE7KQA/do-the-two-2025-plos-one-papers-retracted-in-february-2026%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/QST0D51X9SE7KQA/do-the-two-2025-plos-one-papers-retracted-in-february-2026%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/QST0D51X9SE7KQA/do-the-two-2025-plos-one-papers-retracted-in-february-2026%23add-source) Where it fits Younger Dryas impact hypothesis [**Is the claimed boundary layer the same age at every site?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/younger-dryas-impact/questions/QST0D51X8JC0DHZ/is-the-claimed-boundary-layer-the-same-age-at-every-site)most likely the claimed layers are of different ages, or their ages are not known well enough to say **Do the two 2025 PLOS One papers, retracted in February 2026, still add evidence for an impact?** You're here · the results do not support the conclusions because the age models, sampling and some identifications fail [ Ask a question under this one ]