Snowball Earth: A Deep Freeze Journey Through Earth's Cryogenian Period

During the Cryogenian period, Earth experienced extreme glaciations known as 'Snowball Earth' events, caused by factors like CO2 reduction. Volcanic activity helped end these ice ages, leading to nutrient-rich oceans. Recent research reveals the crucial role of mineral deposits in ocean chemistry and complex life evolution.

Perth, Feb 26 (The Conversation) - Picture Earth as a vast, frozen sphere—an image reflecting its state during the Cryogenian period, roughly 700 million years ago. This era, long predating the dinosaurs, saw immense glaciers encase the planet in ice, stretching from pole to equator.

New findings published in Geology show the critical role of these glaciations in Earth's geological and biological evolution. Glaciers, acting as nature's bulldozers, ground the rocky surface into minerals that later fed the burgeoning oceans as the ice receded, potentially nurturing the rise of complex life.

Theories suggest a decline in atmospheric carbon dioxide triggered the Cryogenian deep freezes, influenced by tropical weathering and tectonic shifts. Ultimately, volcanic eruptions ended these ice ages by enhancing atmospheric CO2, sparking global warming that thawed the frozen Earth.

(With inputs from agencies.)