Science Daily

Twenty thousand years ago, low concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere allowed the earth to fall into the grip of an ice age. But despite decades of research, the reasons why levels of the greenhouse gas were so low then have been difficult to piece together. New research shows that a big part of the answer lies at the bottom of the world.

Twenty thousand years ago, low concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere allowed the earth to fall into the grip of an ice age. But despite decades of research, the reasons why levels of the greenhouse gas were so low then have been difficult to piece together. New research shows that a big part of the answer lies at the bottom of the world.

Earth's magnetic field occasionally reverses its polarity -- the magnetic north and south poles swap places. When magnetic polarity remains stable in one orientation for more than 10 million years the interval is dubbed a 'superchron.' Within the last 540 million years there are three known superchron periods. New work identifies up to 10 additional superchrons over 1.3 billion years during the Proterozoic Eon, Earth's middle age, which occurred 2.5 to 0.54 billion years ago.

Earth's magnetic field occasionally reverses its polarity -- the magnetic north and south poles swap places. When magnetic polarity remains stable in one orientation for more than 10 million years the interval is dubbed a 'superchron.' Within the last 540 million years there are three known superchron periods. New work identifies up to 10 additional superchrons over 1.3 billion years during the Proterozoic Eon, Earth's middle age, which occurred 2.5 to 0.54 billion years ago.

Loss of ice in Antarctica caused by a warming ocean could raise global sea levels by three meters, research suggests.

Loss of ice in Antarctica caused by a warming ocean could raise global sea levels by three meters, research suggests.

Mathematicians and glaciologists have taken a first step toward understanding how glacier ice flowing off Greenland affects sea levels.

Mathematicians and glaciologists have taken a first step toward understanding how glacier ice flowing off Greenland affects sea levels.

Not only is Greenland's melting ice sheet adding huge amounts of water to the oceans, it could also be unleashing 400,000 metric tons of phosphorus every year -- as much as the mighty Mississippi River releases into the Gulf of Mexico, according to a new study. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient that feeds plankton at the base of the ocean food web.

Not only is Greenland's melting ice sheet adding huge amounts of water to the oceans, it could also be unleashing 400,000 metric tons of phosphorus every year -- as much as the mighty Mississippi River releases into the Gulf of Mexico, according to a new study. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient that feeds plankton at the base of the ocean food web.

By examining how Earth restores equilibrium after periods of natural warming, a new study reinforces that long-term global temperature does not evolve chaotically but remains stable unless pushed by external factors. Large, sustained changes in global temperature, like those observed over the last century, cannot occur without drivers such as increased greenhouse gas concentrations. Estimates of natural climate cycles alone are insufficient to explain such changes.

By examining how Earth restores equilibrium after periods of natural warming, a new study reinforces that long-term global temperature does not evolve chaotically but remains stable unless pushed by external factors. Large, sustained changes in global temperature, like those observed over the last century, cannot occur without drivers such as increased greenhouse gas concentrations. Estimates of natural climate cycles alone are insufficient to explain such changes.

Researchers have found that glacial erosion and melting ice caps both played a key role in driving the observed global increase in volcanic activity at the end of the last ice age.

Researchers have found that glacial erosion and melting ice caps both played a key role in driving the observed global increase in volcanic activity at the end of the last ice age.

One of the many dangers resulting from global warming is the melting of glaciers. To ascertain how this will affect sea levels in the future, it is important to know how glaciers behave.  

One of the many dangers resulting from global warming is the melting of glaciers. To ascertain how this will affect sea levels in the future, it is important to know how glaciers behave.  

There is a growing debate over the fate of the world's largest ice sheet, whose sudden melting is sending shockwaves throughout the geophysics community. Researchers contend that by studying other periods of global warming--namely, the Mid-Pliocene Warm Period (MPWP), which occurred approximately 3 million years ago, scientists can better understand the potential impact of today's warming trendings.

There is a growing debate over the fate of the world's largest ice sheet, whose sudden melting is sending shockwaves throughout the geophysics community. Researchers contend that by studying other periods of global warming--namely, the Mid-Pliocene Warm Period (MPWP), which occurred approximately 3 million years ago, scientists can better understand the potential impact of today's warming trendings.

Hydrothermal activity along the mid-ocean ridge system suggests that the release of molten rock, or magma, in response to changes in sea level plays a significant role in the earth's climate.

Hydrothermal activity along the mid-ocean ridge system suggests that the release of molten rock, or magma, in response to changes in sea level plays a significant role in the earth's climate.