In a recent study, scientists have suggested that massive magma fields under ancient volcanoes may have released carbon dioxide long after the surface eruptions ceased, potentially shedding light on prolonged global warming episodes in Earth’s history. The study found that even when the volcanic activity had ceased, the magma continued to release carbon dioxide deep within the Earth’s crust and mantle. This activity could have contributed to ongoing global heating, providing a new perspective on the Earth’s natural climate control systems.
Interestingly, despite human activities currently emitting more carbon dioxide than all the world’s volcanoes combined, studying ancient climate change can still offer valuable insights. By understanding the global heating and cooling mechanisms of the past, we may gain a deeper comprehension of contemporary and future climate scenarios.
Scientists now believe that the Earth’s natural thermostat may be more effective than previously believed. This could offer hope for future climate recovery, particularly if human carbon dioxide emissions decrease.
The discoveries were made by an international team of geoscientists who found that ancient volcanoes continued to emit carbon dioxide from deep within the Earth long after their eruptions had halted. This could potentially explain prolonged episodes of warming during significant climate changes in Earth’s history.
The team has been particularly focused on investigating the delay in Earth’s atmosphere recovery after the end-Permian mass extinction 252 million years ago, which is believed to have been caused by massive volcanic eruptions in Siberia. Their findings, termed “cryptic carbon”, cannot explain current climate change, but by studying past volcanic eruptions, we can gain valuable insights into how Earth’s climate systems respond to massive carbon release.
While the team’s findings do not directly address current climate change, they offer fascinating insights into ancient climate mechanisms. By understanding these past systems, we can better grasp how our planet’s atmosphere might respond and recover from massive carbon releases, contributing to our understanding of contemporary and future climate scenarios.
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