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Snowball Earth
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Snowball Earth
Snowball Earth. Computer artwork of the Earth frozen in snow and ice some 590 million years ago. The continents are in different positions due to tectonic plate movements. One theory suggests that an unusual amount of equatorial land disturbed the carbon cycle. This land was free of ice, and so large amounts of carbonate rock could form as rain washed carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide helps keep Earth warm by a natural greenhouse effect, and as levels fell Earth cooled and runaway glaciation formed kilometre-thick global sea ice that lasted millions of years. As the continents moved away from the equator, and as volcanoes restored the carbon dioxide, a warm climate was restored. Most life was killed, but the survivors exploded in evolutionary diversity
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6342855
© CHRIS BUTLER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Ancient Cambrian Explosion Carbon Dioxide Catastrophe Catastrophic Climate Change Climatological Climatology Cold Continental Continental Drift Continents Early Earth Science Equatorial Extinction Event Frozen Geological Glaciated Glaciation Global Greenhouse Effect Mass Extinction Pre Historic Pre History Snow Solar System Theoretical Theory World Wide Climatic Computer Artwork
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This print titled "Snowball Earth" takes us back in time, some 590 million years ago, to a period of extreme climatic conditions on our planet. The computer artwork depicts the Earth completely frozen in snow and ice, with continents positioned differently due to tectonic plate movements. One intriguing theory behind this phenomenon suggests that an abundance of equatorial land disrupted the carbon cycle. This land remained free from ice, allowing large amounts of carbonate rock to form as rain washed carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. As levels of carbon dioxide decreased, Earth gradually cooled and eventually entered a state of runaway glaciation. Kilometer-thick global sea ice covered the planet for millions of years. During this catastrophic event, most life forms perished; however, those that survived experienced an explosive burst in evolutionary diversity known as the Cambrian explosion. The print serves as a reminder of how our planet's climate has undergone dramatic changes throughout its history. It highlights the delicate balance between greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and their impact on maintaining a habitable environment. As we gaze at this mesmerizing image, we are reminded not only of Earth's ancient geology but also the potential consequences that climate change can have on our world today. Let it serve as a call to action for preserving and protecting our fragile ecosystem for future generations.
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