An interesting new theory on the cause of the first major mass extinction event that took place over a 25 million year period, starting around 466 million years ago. However, many species survived in less severe habitats and quickly recolonised the planet (with increased diversity) once environmental conditions improved.

>>Scientists had previously discovered evidence for an ice age that gripped ancient Earth roughly 466 million years ago, in rocks that once rested on the ocean floor. The rock samples revealed that the sea level was relatively low at this time, indicating that a large amount of Earth’s water was bound in glaciers and ocean ice.

A new paper argues that a driving factor for the onset of this event – known as the Ordovician ice age – could have been the destruction of a major asteroid.

According to the authors of the study, an approximately 150 km (93 mile)-wide asteroid orbiting in the main asteroid belt broke apart 466 million years ago. The destruction of the asteroid would have inundated the solar system with vast amounts of dust. A fraction of this debris would have inevitably made its way to Earth and entered the atmosphere, possibly kicking off a powerful cooling effect.

According to the scientists, the results of these experiments supported their hypothesis that the influx of material from a shattered asteroid reached Earth at the same time as, and indeed may have triggered the Ordovician ice age. The team argue that enormous amounts of dust and chunks of the shattered asteroid would have continued to rain down on Earth’s atmosphere for roughly two million years following its destruction.

The effects of the subsequent climate change, though profound, were not as sudden as the changes that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs following the asteroid impact in the Cretaceous-Paleogene period. Instead, life on Earth had time to adapt to the new ecological niches created by the shifting temperatures across the globe. In short, life was given a chance to diversify.<<

https://newatlas.com/space/asteroid-ice-age-life-earth/

PermeateFree said:

An interesting new theory on the cause of the first major mass extinction event that took place over a 25 million year period, starting around 466 million years ago. However, many species survived in less severe habitats and quickly recolonised the planet (with increased diversity) once environmental conditions improved.

>>Scientists had previously discovered evidence for an ice age that gripped ancient Earth roughly 466 million years ago, in rocks that once rested on the ocean floor. The rock samples revealed that the sea level was relatively low at this time, indicating that a large amount of Earth’s water was bound in glaciers and ocean ice.

A new paper argues that a driving factor for the onset of this event – known as the Ordovician ice age – could have been the destruction of a major asteroid.

According to the authors of the study, an approximately 150 km (93 mile)-wide asteroid orbiting in the main asteroid belt broke apart 466 million years ago. The destruction of the asteroid would have inundated the solar system with vast amounts of dust. A fraction of this debris would have inevitably made its way to Earth and entered the atmosphere, possibly kicking off a powerful cooling effect.

According to the scientists, the results of these experiments supported their hypothesis that the influx of material from a shattered asteroid reached Earth at the same time as, and indeed may have triggered the Ordovician ice age. The team argue that enormous amounts of dust and chunks of the shattered asteroid would have continued to rain down on Earth’s atmosphere for roughly two million years following its destruction.

The effects of the subsequent climate change, though profound, were not as sudden as the changes that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs following the asteroid impact in the Cretaceous-Paleogene period. Instead, life on Earth had time to adapt to the new ecological niches created by the shifting temperatures across the globe. In short, life was given a chance to diversify.<<

https://newatlas.com/space/asteroid-ice-age-life-earth/

Every major extinction on Earth has been associated with a flood basalt event.

Only a few have been associated with an asteroid impact.

Flood basalt releases deadly levels of sulphur into the atmosphere, it releases superheated air, massive amounts of carbon dioxide, and crushed rock by the billions of tonnes. It’s plenty deadly enough on its own to cause a catastophic effect.

mollwollfumble said:

PermeateFree said:

An interesting new theory on the cause of the first major mass extinction event that took place over a 25 million year period, starting around 466 million years ago. However, many species survived in less severe habitats and quickly recolonised the planet (with increased diversity) once environmental conditions improved.

>>Scientists had previously discovered evidence for an ice age that gripped ancient Earth roughly 466 million years ago, in rocks that once rested on the ocean floor. The rock samples revealed that the sea level was relatively low at this time, indicating that a large amount of Earth’s water was bound in glaciers and ocean ice.

A new paper argues that a driving factor for the onset of this event – known as the Ordovician ice age – could have been the destruction of a major asteroid.

According to the authors of the study, an approximately 150 km (93 mile)-wide asteroid orbiting in the main asteroid belt broke apart 466 million years ago. The destruction of the asteroid would have inundated the solar system with vast amounts of dust. A fraction of this debris would have inevitably made its way to Earth and entered the atmosphere, possibly kicking off a powerful cooling effect.

According to the scientists, the results of these experiments supported their hypothesis that the influx of material from a shattered asteroid reached Earth at the same time as, and indeed may have triggered the Ordovician ice age. The team argue that enormous amounts of dust and chunks of the shattered asteroid would have continued to rain down on Earth’s atmosphere for roughly two million years following its destruction.

The effects of the subsequent climate change, though profound, were not as sudden as the changes that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs following the asteroid impact in the Cretaceous-Paleogene period. Instead, life on Earth had time to adapt to the new ecological niches created by the shifting temperatures across the globe. In short, life was given a chance to diversify.<<

https://newatlas.com/space/asteroid-ice-age-life-earth/

Every major extinction on Earth has been associated with a flood basalt event.

Only a few have been associated with an asteroid impact.

Flood basalt releases deadly levels of sulphur into the atmosphere, it releases superheated air, massive amounts of carbon dioxide, and crushed rock by the billions of tonnes. It’s plenty deadly enough on its own to cause a catastophic effect.

If it is good enough for me dad and me dads dad, then it’s good enough for me. So stick your new ideas up your bum!