By chemically analyzing crystals in ancient rocks, scientists from Curtin University, the University of Portsmouth and St. Francis Xavier University discovered that as glaciers carved through the landscape after the Neoproterozoic ‘snowball Earth’ events, they scraped deep into the Earth’s crust, releasing key minerals that altered ocean chemistry. This process had a profound impact on the Earth’s composition, creating conditions that allowed complex life to evolve.
An artist’s impression of a ‘Snowball Earth.’ Image credit: NASA.
“Our study provides valuable insights into how Earth’s natural systems are deeply interconnected,” said Curtin University Professor Chris Kirkland, lead author of the study.
“When these giant ice sheets melted, they triggered enormous floods that flushed minerals and their chemicals, including uranium, into the oceans.”
“This influx of elements changed ocean chemistry, at a time when more complex life was starting to evolve.”
“This study highlights how Earth’s land, oceans, atmosphere and climate are intimately connected- where even ancient glacial activity set off chemical chain reactions that reshaped the planet.”
The research also offers a new perspective on modern climate change.
It shows how past shifts in Earth’s climate triggered large-scale environmental transformations.
“This research is a stark reminder that while Earth itself will endure, the conditions that make it habitable can change dramatically,” Professor Kirkland said.
“These ancient climate shifts demonstrate that environmental changes, whether natural or human-driven, have profound and lasting impacts.
“Understanding these past events can help us better predict how today’s climate changes might reshape our world.”
The findings were publsihed in the journal Geology.
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C.L. Kirkland et al. The Neoproterozoic glacial broom. Geology, published online February 25, 2025; doi: 10.1130/G52887.1
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