Tag Archives: volcanoes

How Plate Tectonics, Not Volcanoes, Shaped Earth’s Climate Over the Last 540 Million Years

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A revealing new study challenges traditional beliefs by showing that mid-ocean ridges and continental rifts, rather than volcanic eruptions, significantly influence atmospheric carbon fluctuations and long-term climate change in Earth’s geological history.

Cryogenic Earth. Image credit: NASA.

Over the past 540 million years, Earth’s climate has gone through dramatic shifts, alternating between icy icehouse conditions and warm greenhouse phases.

Icehouse conditions prevailed during key geological periods, including the Late Ordovician, Late Paleozoic, and Cenozoic eras.

Notably, warmer periods were associated with increased atmospheric carbon dioxide, while declines in greenhouse gases led to global cooling and extensive glaciation.

Research conducted by Ben Mather and a team at the University of Melbourne reconstructed carbon movements between volcanoes, oceans, and the deep Earth over the past 540 million years.

“Our findings challenge the long-accepted view that volcanic chains formed by tectonic plate collisions are the primary natural source of Earth’s atmospheric carbon,” Dr. Mather stated.

“Instead, it appears that carbon emissions from deep-sea crevices and mid-ocean ridges, driven by tectonic movements, have been crucial in shaping the transitions between icehouse and greenhouse climates throughout most of Earth’s history.”

“For example, we discovered that carbon released from volcanoes in the Pacific Ring of Fire only emerged as a significant carbon source in the last 100 million years, prompting us to reevaluate current scientific understanding.”

This study presents the first robust long-term evidence indicating that Earth’s climate change is primarily driven by carbon released at divergent plate boundaries rather than convergent ones.

“This insight not only reshapes our understanding of past climates but will also enhance future climate models,” Dr. Mather noted.

By integrating global plate tectonics reconstructions with carbon cycle models, the research team traced the storage, release, and recycling of carbon as continents shift.

Professor Dietmar Müller from the University of Sydney remarked, “Our findings illustrate how variations in carbon release from plate spreading influenced long-term climate shifts, clarifying historical climate changes, such as the late Paleozoic ice ages, the warm Mesozoic greenhouse world, and the rise of present-day Cenozoic icehouses.”

This research holds vital implications for understanding the ongoing climate crisis.

“This study contributes to the growing body of evidence that atmospheric carbon levels are a significant factor driving major climate shifts,” Dr. Mather emphasized.

“Comprehending how Earth managed its climate historically underscores the extraordinary pace of current climate change.”

“Human activities are releasing carbon at a staggering rate, far surpassing any natural geological processes previously recorded.”

“The climate balance is tipping alarmingly fast.”

For more on this groundbreaking research, you can view the findings published in the journal Communication Earth and Environment.

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B.R. Mather et al. 2026. Carbon emissions along divergent plate boundaries influence climate shifts between icehouses and greenhouses. Communication Earth and Environment 7, 48; doi: 10.1038/s43247-025-03097-0

Source: www.sci.news

Ancient Volcanoes: Understanding Low Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Earth’s History

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Arc volcanoes like Sakurajima releasing carbon dioxide

Arc-shaped volcanoes like Japan’s Sakurajima release carbon dioxide from the Earth’s interior

Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images

New research suggests that the impact of volcanoes on Earth’s climate may not be as ancient as previously believed.

The Earth’s climate has experienced shifts between “icehouse” and “greenhouse” conditions, largely dictated by greenhouse gas levels like carbon dioxide.

Volcanic arcs, including significant eruptions from mountain ranges such as Japan’s, release CO2 from deep within the Earth. Recent findings indicate that dinosaurs became a substantial source of carbon emissions only towards the end of their reign, approximately 100 million years ago, according to Ben Mather and his team from the University of Melbourne.

This correlates with the emergence of phytoplankton featuring calcium carbonate scales in the oceans approximately 150 million years ago. When these organisms perish, they deposit large amounts of calcium carbonate on the ocean floor.

As tectonic plates shift, these significant reservoirs of carbon are pushed into the mantle and recycled into the Earth’s molten core via a process known as subduction.

“Most of the carbon derived from plankton on the subducting oceanic plate mixes into the melt interior, but a portion is released through volcanic arcs,” explains Mather.

Before the emergence of scaly plankton, volcanic arc emissions contained relatively lower levels of CO2, according to Mather.

Through modeling, Mather and colleagues examined tectonics’ long-term impact on the carbon cycle over the past 500 million years. They discovered that much of the carbon stored within Earth throughout its history was released through crustal fractures in a process termed rifting, not primarily through volcanic arcs.

Rifting, a geological process where continents separate, can occur on land (as in the East African Rift) or along mid-ocean ridges.

“As tectonic plates separate, they effectively ‘roof off’ parts of the molten Earth,” Mather states. “This process generates new crust at mid-ocean ridges, releasing carbon.” The amount of carbon entering the atmosphere from continental fractures and mid-ocean ridges relies on the cracks’ length and the rate at which they separate, a process that has remained relatively stable. However, emissions from volcanic arcs have surged in the last 100 million years due to new carbon reservoirs formed by plankton.

Currently, Earth is in a temporary warm phase called an interglacial period, nested within a larger ice age that began 34 million years ago. One reason for the persistent cold phases is that phytoplankton sequester substantial amounts of carbon from the ocean, depositing it on the sea floor. Although volcanic emissions are rising, they still pale in comparison to the carbon stored by phytoplankton and that sequestered through tectonic movements.

According to Alan Collins and his team from the University of Adelaide, modeling studies like this are crucial for comprehending how volcanic and tectonic activities have influenced climate patterns over geological timescales.

“The composition of marine sediments has shifted as new organisms evolved, utilizing diverse elements, including the rise of calcium carbonate-based zooplankton,” Collins emphasizes.

Reference journal: Nature Communications Earth and Environment, DOI TK

Explore the Land of Fire and Ice: Iceland

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes. Experience volcanic and geological marvels by day, and chase the mesmerizing Northern Lights by night (October).

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Stunning Nature Photography: Volcanoes to Icebergs – Best of 2025

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Mount Etna erupts

Mount Etna Erupts

Credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery

Sicily’s Mount Etna, recognized as the world’s most active stratovolcano, is characterized by its tall cone resulting from continuous eruptions of viscous lava. In February, a significant volcanic event led to the eruption of volcanic ash and a lava flow extending three kilometers, prompting a partial airport closure. This dramatic moment was captured by one of the European Space Agency’s Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on February 12th.

Iceberg in Inarsuit, Greenland

Credit: Dennis Lehtonen / SWNS

In July, a massive iceberg drifted into the port of Innarsuit, Greenland, casting a shadow over the village of just 180 residents for over a week. Local authorities issued warnings for residents to exercise caution due to the risk of the iceberg collapsing and causing destructive waves, reminiscent of similar incidents in the area in the last decade. As climate change accelerates, the frequency of iceberg calving from glaciers is increasing.

Hurricane Melissa Wreaks Havoc in Jamaica

Credit: Ricardo Makyn/AFP via Getty Images

As one of the most severe storms to hit the Atlantic, Hurricane Melissa registered winds nearing 300 kilometers per hour and dropped an astonishing 76 centimeters of rain on Jamaica on October 28. The storm devastated buildings along the Black River, with initial analyses suggesting climate change intensified Melissa’s winds by approximately 16 kilometers per hour. The year recorded three Category 5 hurricanes, marking a historic frequency.

Extraordinary Tides of the Qiantang River

Credit: VCG/VCG via Getty Images

The Qiantang River in China boasts the world’s highest tidal waves, where incoming tides create waves that can reach heights of up to 9 meters and travel upstream at speeds nearly hitting 40 kilometers per hour. Locals refer to this phenomenon as the “Silver Dragon,” attracting surfers from far and wide to join in the excitement during high tides in Jiaxing City.

Bratten Post-Landslide

Credit: Alexandre Agrusti/AFP via Getty Images

On May 29, the Birch Glacier in the Swiss Alps experienced a severe collapse, resulting in a landslide that deposited approximately 9 million tons of debris. This massive event, equivalent to a magnitude 3.1 earthquake, buried a significant portion of the historic village of Bratten, also damming the nearby Lonza River. Thankfully, the village was evacuated with minimal loss of life. Experts attribute the landslide to thawing permafrost, critical for maintaining mountain stability. Without intervention, up to 90% of Alpine glaciers are projected to disappear by 2100, exacerbated by ongoing carbon dioxide emissions.

Destruction from the Palisades Fire in California

Credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images

In January, rampant wildfires swept through the forested areas north of Los Angeles, notably ravaging regions such as the Pacific Palisades. These devastating fires, considered the costliest in U.S. history, claimed over 30 lives and devastated around 16,000 structures, incurring damages in the hundreds of billions. Critics have pointed to California’s lenient home insurance policies as a factor promoting risky construction near forests, with climate change further extending the wildfire season and increasing the likelihood of intense, dry, and windy conditions.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Mars Volcanoes Might Have Relocated Ice to the Planet’s Equator

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Ancient volcanic eruptions on Mars may have led to ice deposits near the planet’s equator

Ron Miller/Science Photo Library

The hottest regions on Mars conceal an unexpectedly dense layer of ice beneath their surface, and researchers might have unraveled its origins. This water could have journeyed from the planet’s interior via peculiar volcanic eruptions billions of years ago, making it a vital resource for future human expeditions.

While Mars is known for its polar ice caps, recent radar data from orbiting satellites indicates that ice also exists in equatorial zones. “There’s a frozen layer at the equator, which is curious given that it’s the warmest area of the planet,” says Saira Hamid from Arizona State University. At high noon, temperatures around the equator can soar to approximately 20°C (68°F).

Hamid and her team conducted simulations of volcanic activity on Mars, revealing that explosive eruptions could have propelled water from the interior into the atmosphere over extensive periods. In ancient times, Mars boasted a denser atmosphere conducive to freeze and snowfall, leading to the ice layers observed today. “This narrative intertwines fire and ice,” adds Hamid.

These eruptions would have differed substantially from those on Earth. Mars’ reduced gravity allows volcanic ash, water, and sulfur plumes to ascend as high as 65 kilometers (65 kilometers) above Earth’s surface, and under certain atmospheric conditions during eruptions, even reach space.

As snow accumulates, the water compresses into muddied ice layers, shielded by a blanket of volcanic ash. This covering prevents the ice from sublimating into space and has contributed to its preservation to the present day.

“The potential for such ice-laden deposits poses challenges for many,” comments Tom Watters from the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. A notable source of confusion is the massive Medusa Fosse Formation near Mars’ equator. “If the water anticipated in the Medusa Fosse Formation were to melt, it could fill the Great Lakes. That’s a substantial volume of water.”

Another theory for the ice’s formation suggests that Mars’ axial tilt may have changed drastically over time, potentially shifting equatorial areas to pole-like conditions. “However, these volcanic eruptions are sufficient to generate ice without requiring shifts in axial tilt,” Hamid pointed out. “It’s the simpler explanation.”

Equatorial regions are also prime sites for landing missions to Mars because the faint atmosphere thickens in these areas, helping to decelerate landers approaching the surface. The availability of water there could be crucial for future human missions, although initial missions may not exploit this resource. Subsequent landings could benefit from the ice.

“On our inaugural trips, we intend to carry plenty of water, just in case we misinterpret our radar readings,” says Watters. “Without enough water, venturing out with only a shovel expecting to strike water is unwise. Bring a shovel, but also ensure you have sufficient water.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Scientists warn that volcanoes near Alaska’s largest city may erupt in the next few weeks or months

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Anchorage, Alaska – Volcanoes near Alaska’s biggest city show new signs of anxiety. Experts say the likelihood of an eruption in Mount Spall is increasing in the coming weeks or months.

The Alaska Volcanic Observatory said Wednesday it measured “a significant rise in volcanic gas emissions” during recent turbulence, with the signs indicating that the eruption was not certain in weeks or months, but not certain.

“We hope for more seismic activity, gas emissions and surface heating before the eruption. “Such strong anxiety could provide additional warnings for days to weeks.”

What is Mount Spur?

It is an ice-covered volcano about 80 miles northwest of Anchorage, 11,070 feet high.

Mount Spur is one of Alaska’s 53 volcanoes and has been active within the last 250 years. There are two main vents.

When did Mount Spur last erupt?

The last known eruption from the Summit Bent was over 5,000 years ago. Meanwhile, Crater Peak Vent erupted once in 1953 and three times in 1992. Crater Peak Vent is about two miles south of the summit.

Since then, there have been periods of increasing earthquakes and other activities between 2004 and 2006, but no other eruptions. Last October, the observatory raised the green to yellow mount spur alert status when seismic activity increased significantly and ground deformation was discovered in satellite data.

The most likely outcome of current anxiety would be the eruptions or eruptions of 1953 and 1992, the observation deck said.

But “there is a possibility that there will be no eruptions, current activity will die slowly, or even smaller eruptions may occur,” wrote John Power, a geophysicist at the station’s US Geological Survey, in an email.

What are the effects of the eruption?

According to the observation deck, eruptions of the last century lasted three to seven hours, rising more than 50,000 feet above sea level, producing ash columns deposited ashes in communities in southern Alaska.

In 1992, about a quarter inch of ash from the anchorage began to stay inside or wear masks if they were to go outside to avoid breathing the ashes. The clouds drifted all the way to Greenland.

Volcanic ash is angular and sharp, and is used as an industrial abrasive. Powdered rocks can shut down the jet engine.

The 1992 eruption prompted temporary closures of airports in Anchorage and other communities.

In states where most communities are not connected to Alaska’s main road system, closing airports is more than inconvenient. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is one of the busiest cargo hubs in the world.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Research uncovers evidence of active volcanoes on the moon during the dinosaur era

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New research suggests that volcanoes on the Moon were active during the time of the dinosaurs on Earth, but much more recently than previously believed.

Three small glass beads gathered from the lunar surface by a Chinese probe in 2020 indicate volcanic activity on the Moon 120 million years ago, according to the study. The findings were published Thursday in the journal Science.

Initial analysis of samples collected by the Chang’e-5 lunar mission suggested that volcanic activity ceased approximately 2 billion years ago, updating an earlier evaluation that the Moon had been devoid of active volcanoes for about 4 billion years.

Researchers examined around 3,000 lunar glass beads that may have been produced by volcanic eruptions or meteorite impacts, identifying three of them as of volcanic origin based on their texture and chemical makeup.

The research team expressed being “surprised and excited” by their “unexpected” discoveries.

The presence of relatively recent lunar volcanism “implies that a small celestial body like the Moon may have retained enough internal heat to support activity until very late,” co-authors Professor Li Qili and Associate Professor He Yuyang from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, shared in an email.

However, it remains “unclear” why the Moon has remained volcanically active for such a long period, as per the study.

Planetary volcanologist Qian Yuqi from the University of Hong Kong commented that identifying such a young volcano has “major” implications for the Moon’s development.

“Where did they originate from?” Qian, who was not part of the research, inquired in an email. “This could lead to future missions to search for them.”

The Chang’e-5 lunar mission marked the first return of lunar samples since the U.S. Apollo program in the 1970s and the Soviet Union’s Luna 24 mission. In June, China achieved a historic feat by retrieving rocks from the far side of the Moon through its Chang’e-6 mission.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Water ice deposits found on tropical Mars volcanoes

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Using high-resolution color images from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Trace Gases Orbiter (TGO) and Mars Express missions, planetary researchers have found evidence of morning frost deposits in the calderas of the Tharsis volcanoes on Mars (Olympus Mons, Arsia Mons, Ascleius Mons and Ceraunius Turus).

This image, taken with the High Resolution Stereo Camera on ESA’s Mars Express spacecraft, shows Olympus Mons, the tallest volcano not only on Mars but in the entire Solar System. Image credit: ESA / DLR / Free University Berlin.

The Tharsis region of Mars contains numerous volcanoes, including Olympus Mons and the Tharsis Mountains (Ascraeus Mons, Pavonis Mons, and Arsia Mons).

Many of these volcanoes are enormous, towering above the surrounding plains at heights between one (Mont Pavonis) and three times (Mont Olympus) higher than Earth’s Mount Everest.

At the summit of these volcanoes are large cavities called calderas, which were formed when magma chambers were emptied during past eruptions.

“We thought it would be impossible for frost to form near the equator on Mars because of the relatively high temperatures both on the surface and on mountain tops, caused by a combination of sunlight and a thin atmosphere. On Earth, we would expect frost to form on mountain tops, but that would not be the case near the equator on Mars,” said Dr. Adomas Valantinas, a postdoctoral researcher at Brown University.

“Its presence here is intriguing and suggests that there are exceptional processes at work that allow frost to form.”

The frost patches appear for a few hours before and after sunrise, then evaporate in the sunlight.

Although it is thin, perhaps only one-hundredth of a millimeter thick (about the thickness of a human hair), it covers a vast area.

The amount of frost is equivalent to about 150,000 tonnes of water that moves between the earth’s surface and the atmosphere every day during the cold season, which is roughly the equivalent of filling about 60 Olympic swimming pools.

The researchers propose that air circulates in a special way above Tharsis, creating a unique microclimate within the volcano’s caldera there and allowing the frost patches to form.

“Winds move up the mountain slopes, carrying relatively moist air from close to the surface to higher altitudes, where it condenses and falls as frost,” said Dr Nicolas Thomas from the University of Bern, principal investigator of TGO’s Colour Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS).

“We actually see this happening on Earth and other parts of Mars, where the same phenomenon causes the seasonal elongated clouds on Mars’ Arsia Mons.”

“The frost we see on the summits of Martian volcanoes appears to have accumulated in the shadowed parts of the calderas, where temperatures are particularly cool.”

Scientists have found frost on the Tharsis volcanoes of Olympus, Arsia, Mount Ascraeus and Ceraunius Turus.

By modeling how these frosts form, scientists could potentially unlock more of Mars’ mysteries, like where any remaining water on Mars resides, how it moves between reservoirs, and even understanding the dynamics of the planet’s complex atmosphere.

This knowledge is essential for future exploration of Mars and the search for signs of extraterrestrial life.

“The discovery of water on the surface of Mars is always an exciting prospect, both for scientific interest and for its implications for human and robotic exploration,” said Dr Colin Wilson, ESA’s project scientist for both ExoMars TGO and Mars Express.

“Even so, this discovery is particularly intriguing because Mars’ low atmospheric pressure creates the unusual situation where Martian mountaintops are typically less cold than the plains. But moist air blowing up the mountain slopes can still condense into frost, a phenomenon that is clearly similar to Earth.”

“This discovery was made possible thanks to successful collaboration between ESA’s two Mars rovers, as well as additional modelling.”

“Understanding exactly which phenomena are the same and which are different on Earth and Mars will really test and improve our understanding of the fundamental processes occurring not only on our home planet but elsewhere in the universe.”

of Investigation result Published in the journal Nature Chemistry.

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A. Valantinus othersEvidence for episodic morning frost accumulation at the Tharsis volcano, Mars. National GeographyPublished online June 10, 2024; doi: 10.1038/s41561-024-01457-7

Source: www.sci.news

The resurgence of diamond-spewing supersonic volcanoes: What’s behind it?

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Twenty years ago, deep underground in the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, thomas garnon Before I knew it, I was walking through a hellish place. The sound of explosions echoed off the walls and the temperature rose. “It was like a baptism of fire,” he says. It was his first trip to Kimberlite and his diamond mines.

The scene was full of cameras, and Garnon, now a student at the University of Southampton in the UK, was warned that if any jewelery was found on her, accidentally or not, she would be in trouble. But he didn't come here to find his fortune. He was seeking answers to one of Earth's greatest mysteries.

Diamonds are precious to many, but they hold a special place in the hearts of geologists. They were forged long ago in the fiery depths of Earth's inaccessible mantle and rose to the surface riding supersonic jets of magma from strange volcanoes called kimberlites.

Although we don't know exactly how diamonds are formed, we do know that diamonds are like time capsules that reveal secrets of Earth's distant past. And perhaps the biggest question is why the kimberlites that pushed them to the surface appear to have gone extinct millions of years ago.

Now, nearly 20 years after that first visit to the diamond mine, Gernon and his fellow kimberlite detectives finally have a comprehensive model of how volcanoes work, and with it You may gain a deeper understanding of volcanic treasures. Additionally, the study revealed the intriguing prospect that kimberlites may not be extinct after all.

Diamonds are the opposite…

Source: www.newscientist.com

Study finds that low carbon dioxide emissions from volcanoes may have caused the Sturtian ‘Snowball Earth’ ice age.

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of Sturtian “Snowball Earth” Ice Age (717 million to 661 million years ago) is considered the most extreme icehouse period in Earth’s history. In a new study, geologists from the University of Sydney and the University of Adelaide used plate tectonics modeling to identify the most likely cause of the Staats Ice Age.

Artist’s impression of “Snowball Earth”. Image credit: Oleg Kuznetsov, http://3depix.com / CC BY-SA 4.0.

“Imagine if the Earth almost completely froze over, which is exactly what happened about 700 million years ago,” said lead author Dr. Adriana Dutkiewicz, a researcher at the University of Sydney. .

“The Earth was covered in ice from the poles to the equator, and temperatures plummeted. But what caused this to happen is an open question.”

“We think we have now solved the mystery. Historically, volcanic carbon dioxide emissions have been low, driven by the weathering of large volcanic rock mountains in what is now Canada. It’s a process that absorbs carbon dioxide.”

Named after Charles Sturt, a 19th-century European colonial explorer of central Australia, the Sturtsian Ice Age spanned 717 million to 660 million years, long before dinosaurs and complex plants existed on land. It continued until ten thousand years ago.

“There are many possible causes for the trigger and end of this extreme ice age, but the most mysterious one is why it lasted 57 million years. It’s hard for humans to imagine,” Dr. Dutkiewicz said.

Dr. Dutkiewicz and his colleagues used a plate tectonics model that simultaneously shows the evolution of continents and ocean basins after the breakup of the ancient supercontinent Rodina.

They connected it to a computer model that calculates the outgassing of carbon dioxide from submarine volcanoes along mid-ocean ridges, where plates diverge and new oceanic crust is born.

They soon realized that the beginning of the Starch Ice Age correlated precisely with the lowest ever levels of volcanic carbon dioxide emissions.

Additionally, carbon dioxide flux remained relatively low throughout the ice age.

“At that time, there were no multicellular animals or land plants on Earth,” Dr. Dutkiewicz said.

“Greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere were determined almost entirely by carbon dioxide emitted by volcanoes and by the weathering processes of silicate rocks that consume carbon dioxide.”

“At that time, geology ruled the climate,” said co-author Professor Dietmar Müller, a researcher at the University of Sydney.

“We think the Staats Ice Age began with a double whammy: plate tectonics realigned to minimize volcanic degassing, while at the same time Canada’s continental volcanic belt began to erode, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Consumed.”

“As a result, atmospheric carbon dioxide has fallen to levels that could begin an ice age. This is estimated to be less than 200 parts per million, less than half of today’s levels.”

The team’s current research raises interesting questions about the long-term future of the planet.

Recent theories suggest that over the next 250 million years, Earth will evolve toward Pangea Ultima, a supercontinent hot enough to wipe out mammals.

However, the Earth is currently on a trajectory where volcanic carbon dioxide emissions decrease as continental collisions increase and plate velocities decrease.

So perhaps Pangea Ultima will snowball again.

“Whatever the future holds, it is important to remember that geological climate changes of the type studied here occur very slowly,” Dr. Dutkiewicz said.

“According to NASA, human-induced climate change is occurring 10 times faster than ever before.”

of study appear in the diary geology.

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Adriana Dutkiewicz other. The period of the Sturtian “Snowball Earth” ice age is associated with unusually low gas emissions at mid-ocean ridges. geology, published online on February 7, 2024. doi: 10.1130/G51669.1

Source: www.sci.news

A new species of toad has been found living in African volcanoes

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Scientists have identified a new genus and species of true toad from a single specimen found in a high-altitude forest. mount kenya, an extinct volcano in Kenya and the second highest mountain in Africa after Kilimanjaro. Contrary to the popular belief that most of Kenya’s amphibians arose after volcanic activity subsided millions of years ago, this new species is related to the Kenya volcanic toad (Kenya Phrynoides vulcanis) – Its origins may date back as far as 20 million years, making it considerably older than the volcanic formation of Mt Kenya itself.

artistic performance Kenya Phrynoides vulcanis (A), dorsal view of the left hand of the holotype (B), and photographs of the dorsal (C) and ventral (D) sides of the holotype before preservation. Image credit: Liedtke other., doi: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad160.

Dr Simon Loader, lead curator of vertebrates at the Natural History Museum, London, said: ‘Many of Kenya’s mountains are volcanic or geologically relatively new, so discovering ancient lineages that have lasted for millions of years is unlikely. It’s amazing.”

“It’s a real challenge to figure out how it got here.”

“We can’t say for sure, but it seems likely that they were once more widespread, and as the climate has changed over the past tens of millions of years, they have tracked their way through tropical forests, with their final destinations being the mountaintops. It was ‘Mt Kenya’. ”

The discovery of Kenya’s volcanic toads calls into question the concept of the Kenya interval, a term used to describe the striking contrast in amphibian diversity between Kenya and its neighboring countries.

Ethiopia and Tanzania have long been hotspots for amphibian biodiversity, but Kenya’s geological history and frequency of tectonic activity make it a difficult place for these organisms to thrive.

unique features Kenya Phrynoides vulcanis This suggests that the Kenyan Interval may not be as simple as previously believed.

When this toad was first discovered in Mount Kenya’s pit in 2015, it already seemed very different from the species normally seen in the area.

“We were really surprised to see this animal. It looked nothing like anything we had seen before, but it was similar to what we know and call the Tanzanian animal. Ta” Churamiti MaridadiIt is a forest tree toad that lives in the Ukaguru Mountains rainforest,” said National Museums of Kenya curators Dr Patrick Maronza and Dr Victor Wasonga.

Kenya Phrynoides vulcanisDistinctive features include its small size, more frog-like body, and distinctive green and brown markings.

Genetic and morphological differences from other known toad species have led to its recognition at the genus level.

Clues from physical features such as enlarged fingertips suggest it may be a climber.

Its thumb has a sharp tip known as a nuptial spine found in many male frogs and toads, which helps the male grasp the female and encourage reproduction.

“The forest toad found in the mountains of East Africa is unusual and does not resemble typical toads,” said Dr. Hendrik Müller, a researcher at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg.

“More interestingly, some individuals are known to have an unusual reproductive strategy called ovoviviparity.”

“In ovoviviparity, the eggs hatch inside the female’s body. This means that the chicks are born from the mother as small toads, rather than as tadpoles.”

This finding is reported in the following article: paper inside Zoological journal of the Linnean Society.

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H. Christoph Liedtke other. A new species of toad discovered from Mount Kenya sheds light on the biogeography of East Africa’s mountains. Zoological journal of the Linnean Society, published online on November 7, 2023. doi: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad160

Source: www.sci.news

Volcanoes: Not as calm as they seem – Explosive secrets unveiled

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Researchers are analyzing the Chomadul volcano to comprehend the sudden eruption of a long-dormant volcano. The chemical and mineral composition of magma has been the focus of research to gain insight into volcanic reactivation and prediction of eruptions. This has underscored the potential hazards of inactive volcanoes. The dormant period of a volcano could potentially be interrupted by a rapid and hazardous eruption. The study by Hungarian researchers has helped uncover warning signs before the eruption of long-dormant volcanoes. They focused on the Chomadul volcano in the Carpathian-Pannonian region. The team used mineralogical and chemical composition data to understand magma evolution and infer the structure of the volcanic subsurface magma chamber. The study revealed that the volcanic activity during the last active period was mainly explosive. The eruption of Chomadul volcano was analyzed in terms of its eruptive history. The researchers were able to determine the causes and processes that control the eruption style of volcanic activity through a detailed study of rock-forming minerals. The key mineral, amphibole, played a crucial role in the study. It suggested that water-rich recharge magmas played an important role in triggering explosive eruptions. The research also highlighted the importance of quantitative volcanic petrology studies in understanding pre-eruption signals and enhancing eruption prediction capabilities. The study of Chomadul volcano has attracted international attention and is significant in identifying potential dangers associated with long-dormant volcanoes.

Source: scitechdaily.com