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Eocene Oligocene Transition

All articles tagged with #eocene oligocene transition

science13 days ago•15 min saved

Slow mantle uplift seeded East Antarctica's continental ice sheet 34 million years ago

A 2026 modelling study links East Antarctica’s rise to Jurassic-era mantle processes triggered by continental breakup, arguing that tens of millions of years of uplift created a high interior and ice-hardy topography that allowed a continent-wide ice sheet to form around 34 million years ago even while global temperatures were about 5°C warmer than today. Falling CO2 remained the primary trigger, with topography and albedo feedbacks helping seed and stabilize the ice, though this reconstruction carries uncertainties and does not guarantee modern ice safety.

via Space Daily|

#antarctica #co2 #eocene-oligocene-transition

earth-science3 years ago•3 min saved

"Mississippi Mud Unveils Antarctic Ice's Ancient Saga"

Mud cores drilled in Mississippi have provided new insights into the origins of Antarctic ice sheets around 34 million years ago. The study reveals that during the Eocene-Oligocene transition, as ice sheets grew and sea levels fell, a significant carbon transfer occurred from coastal sediments into the atmosphere. This drop in atmospheric carbon played a crucial role in the expansion of Antarctic ice and the global decrease in sea levels. The research also highlights the impact of falling sea levels on coastal sediments, leading to the release of carbon dioxide and a temporary negative feedback to climate cooling. The study sheds light on the complex interactions between Earth's climate, biosphere, and carbon cycle during this critical period.

via ScienceAlert|

#antarctic-ice-sheets #carbon-transfer #earth-science