Snowball Earth may hide a far stranger climate cycle than anyone expected
During the Sturtian glacial period, Earth may have experienced repeated cycles of glaciation and warming rather than a single prolonged ice age, according to a new climate model. The model resolves inconsistencies in previous 'Snowball' and 'Slushball' Earth theories by incorporating carbon and oxygen cycles with volcanic and weathering activity. These cycles, driven by weathering of the Franklin Large Igneous Province, could explain the 56-million-year glacial duration and the persistence of life.
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Snowball Earth may hide a far stranger climate cycle than anyone expected April 28, 2026 | by Krystal Kasal | edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Robert Egan Gaby Clark scientific editor Meet our editorial team Behind our editorial process Robert Egan associate editor Meet our editorial team Behind our editorial process Krystal Kasal contributing writer Meet our staff & contributors Learn about our editorial standards Editors' notes This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies.
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