Researchers at the University of Arizona have conducted a study that shows Earth’s global temperature has changed dramatically over the past 500 million years. The study reveals that these fluctuations have been primarily driven by changes in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
The study, led by Dr. Jessica Tierney and published in the journal Nature Geoscience, analyzed sediment cores from different geological periods to reconstruct ancient climate conditions. By studying the chemical composition of these cores, the researchers were able to estimate past levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide and the corresponding global temperatures.
The findings suggest that Earth’s climate has been relatively stable over the past 150 million years, with global temperatures fluctuating by only a few degrees Celsius. However, prior to this period, the planet experienced much more extreme temperature variations, with some regions reaching temperatures up to 10 degrees Celsius warmer than they are today.
According to the researchers, these temperature fluctuations were largely driven by changes in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Higher levels of carbon dioxide resulted in a warmer climate, while lower levels led to periods of global cooling.
The study highlights the important role that carbon dioxide plays in regulating Earth’s climate and underscores the potential consequences of modern-day increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels.
By understanding the long-term history of Earth’s climate, researchers hope to gain insights into how the planet may respond to future changes in carbon dioxide levels and develop strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
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