Terrestrial paleoenvironmental effects of a late quaternary-age supernova

Over 120 radio-emitting galactic supernova remnants (SNRs) have been catalogued. It is possible to evaluate the possible terrestrial importance of specific inferred radiation events. Because radio SNRs expand with age, and become indistinguishable from the interstellar medium at mean diameters of approximately 65 pc (ages of roughly 45,000 years), only late Quaternary time can be examined. However, it is for this period that detailed and well-dated terrestrial paleoenvironmental records are available. Such records can provide tests of any predicted supernova effects. There is at present considerable evidence supporting the hypothesis that the Vela supernova caused short-term but possibly severe terrestrial environmental changes. The information presented suggests that the effects to be predicted for the Vela supernova did occur, and began shortly after 11,000 C-14 yr B.P