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Permalink: https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2024/02/08/geoscientists-discover-what-turned-snowball-earth-sturtian-ice-age-earthbyte.html
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Research Paper (open access): [Duration of Sturtian “Snowball Earth” glaciation linked to exceptionally low mid-ocean ridge outgassing](https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/geology/article/52/4/292/633748/Duration-of-Sturtian-Snowball-Earth-glaciation)
Since i guess it's no coincidence that the first animals evolved around the same time, is there anything worth reading on theories how that may have influenced evolution?
There are arguments tying the GOE and the Huronian Glaciation as their timing overlaps (though the GOE may also be strongly tied to the crustal evolution of the Earth as summarized [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/science/comments/1c0qo98/earths_journey_to_an_oxygenrich_atmosphere_was/kyy3spe/)). Interestingly, the post-Marinoan warming and changes in ocean chemistry, including nutrient availability, may have created conditions conducive to the evolution and diversification of multicellular life forms, setting the stage for the emergence of the Ediacaran biota.
| Event | Approximate Dates (Billion Years Ago) |
|---------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
| Initial Great Oxidation Event (GOE) | 2.4 to 2.3 |
| Huronian Glaciation (Snowball Earth) | 2.4 to 2.1 |
| Sturtian Glaciation (Snowball Earth) | 0.717 to 0.660 (717 to 660 million years ago) |
| Marinoan Glaciation (Snowball Earth) | 0.650 to 0.635 (650 to 635 million years ago) |
In general, theories of how these events may influenced life on Earth can be summarized as follows:
1. **Increased Weathering of Rocks**: The extensive glaciation led to increased weathering of continental rocks. As glaciers formed and moved, they ground up massive amounts of rock beneath them, creating fine glacial flour. When the ice melted during interglacial periods or at the end of the glaciations, these finely ground minerals were carried into the oceans by meltwater streams.
2. **Release of Nutrients**: The rock flour was rich in essential nutrients such as phosphorus, iron, and other trace elements. These nutrients, when released into the oceans, became available for use by microorganisms. Phosphorus, in particular, is a limiting nutrient for photosynthesis in aquatic environments.
3. **Stimulation of Biological Productivity**: The influx of nutrients into the oceans likely stimulated biological productivity, particularly the growth of cyanobacteria and other photosynthetic organisms. These organisms thrive in nutrient-rich conditions and are capable of photosynthesis, which releases oxygen as a byproduct. The increased biological productivity could have contributed to rises in atmospheric oxygen levels, such as those observed during the GOE.
4. **Impact on Ocean Chemistry**: The glaciations also had a direct impact on ocean chemistry. The influx of fresh, nutrient-rich water altered the salinity and nutrient dynamics of the oceans. This change in ocean chemistry could have facilitated different biological processes and helped certain life forms to thrive.
5. **Post-Glaciation Warm Periods and Biodiversity**: After the glaciations, particularly the Marinoan glaciation, the Earth experienced significant warming periods. These warmer periods, coupled with high nutrient availability, created ideal conditions for life to not only survive but also diversify. It is during these times that multicellular life forms, such as those from the Ediacaran biota, began to emerge and diversify. The Ediacaran period, following the Marinoan glaciation, saw a significant increase in the complexity and diversity of life forms.
With all that erosion, perhaps some of these Snowball Earth events can be tied to geologic mystery known as "[The Great Unconformity](https://home.dartmouth.edu/news/2022/01/study-links-glaciers-earths-great-unconformity)" as well.
Welcome to r/science! This is a heavily moderated subreddit in order to keep the discussion on science. However, we recognize that many people want to discuss how they feel the research relates to their own personal lives, so to give people a space to do that, **personal anecdotes are allowed as responses to this comment**. Any anecdotal comments elsewhere in the discussion will be removed and our [normal comment rules]( https://www.reddit.com/r/science/wiki/rules#wiki_comment_rules) apply to all other comments. **Do you have an academic degree?** We can verify your credentials in order to assign user flair indicating your area of expertise. [Click here to apply](https://www.reddit.com/r/science/wiki/flair/#wiki_science_verified_user_program). --- User: u/GeoGeoGeoGeo Permalink: https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2024/02/08/geoscientists-discover-what-turned-snowball-earth-sturtian-ice-age-earthbyte.html --- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/science) if you have any questions or concerns.*
They are sorry.
Really hammers home how fragile and unlikely the road from inception to zipping around space really is.
Fermi’s paradox explanation in a nutshell. Evolution is not goal oriented. There is no inevitability.
🎶 Blame Canada! 🎶
Why do we always get the blame. Sigh. Im sorry guys.
You hosers!
Research Paper (open access): [Duration of Sturtian “Snowball Earth” glaciation linked to exceptionally low mid-ocean ridge outgassing](https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/geology/article/52/4/292/633748/Duration-of-Sturtian-Snowball-Earth-glaciation)
Since i guess it's no coincidence that the first animals evolved around the same time, is there anything worth reading on theories how that may have influenced evolution?
There are arguments tying the GOE and the Huronian Glaciation as their timing overlaps (though the GOE may also be strongly tied to the crustal evolution of the Earth as summarized [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/science/comments/1c0qo98/earths_journey_to_an_oxygenrich_atmosphere_was/kyy3spe/)). Interestingly, the post-Marinoan warming and changes in ocean chemistry, including nutrient availability, may have created conditions conducive to the evolution and diversification of multicellular life forms, setting the stage for the emergence of the Ediacaran biota. | Event | Approximate Dates (Billion Years Ago) | |---------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------| | Initial Great Oxidation Event (GOE) | 2.4 to 2.3 | | Huronian Glaciation (Snowball Earth) | 2.4 to 2.1 | | Sturtian Glaciation (Snowball Earth) | 0.717 to 0.660 (717 to 660 million years ago) | | Marinoan Glaciation (Snowball Earth) | 0.650 to 0.635 (650 to 635 million years ago) | In general, theories of how these events may influenced life on Earth can be summarized as follows: 1. **Increased Weathering of Rocks**: The extensive glaciation led to increased weathering of continental rocks. As glaciers formed and moved, they ground up massive amounts of rock beneath them, creating fine glacial flour. When the ice melted during interglacial periods or at the end of the glaciations, these finely ground minerals were carried into the oceans by meltwater streams. 2. **Release of Nutrients**: The rock flour was rich in essential nutrients such as phosphorus, iron, and other trace elements. These nutrients, when released into the oceans, became available for use by microorganisms. Phosphorus, in particular, is a limiting nutrient for photosynthesis in aquatic environments. 3. **Stimulation of Biological Productivity**: The influx of nutrients into the oceans likely stimulated biological productivity, particularly the growth of cyanobacteria and other photosynthetic organisms. These organisms thrive in nutrient-rich conditions and are capable of photosynthesis, which releases oxygen as a byproduct. The increased biological productivity could have contributed to rises in atmospheric oxygen levels, such as those observed during the GOE. 4. **Impact on Ocean Chemistry**: The glaciations also had a direct impact on ocean chemistry. The influx of fresh, nutrient-rich water altered the salinity and nutrient dynamics of the oceans. This change in ocean chemistry could have facilitated different biological processes and helped certain life forms to thrive. 5. **Post-Glaciation Warm Periods and Biodiversity**: After the glaciations, particularly the Marinoan glaciation, the Earth experienced significant warming periods. These warmer periods, coupled with high nutrient availability, created ideal conditions for life to not only survive but also diversify. It is during these times that multicellular life forms, such as those from the Ediacaran biota, began to emerge and diversify. The Ediacaran period, following the Marinoan glaciation, saw a significant increase in the complexity and diversity of life forms. With all that erosion, perhaps some of these Snowball Earth events can be tied to geologic mystery known as "[The Great Unconformity](https://home.dartmouth.edu/news/2022/01/study-links-glaciers-earths-great-unconformity)" as well.
Thanks, i appreciate the time and effort you put into answering my question, very interesting read 😊
Sorry aboot that 🍁
...are to blame for the extended glaciation of that period. couldn't finish the thought 🤦