Scientists discover river system that flowed 40 million years under ice in Antarctica
climate change on Earth and provides a glimpse into its past. The journal 'Science Advances' published their findings on June 5, 2024.
Earth's past climate changes
Study co-author Johann Klages, a sedimentologist at the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research in Germany, said studying Earth's historical records of similar catastrophes is necessary to comprehend severe climate shifts in the future, as reported by 'Yahoo News'.
Want a Loan? Get cash against your Mutual Funds in 4 hoursHe observed that the Earth's atmosphere underwent major alteration in the middle to late Eocene epoch, approximately 34 million to 44 million years ago. When the Earth was free of ice, the decline in carbon dioxide levels prompted global cooling and the formation of glaciers.
Major climate event in Antarctica
An important climate event that occurred in Antarctica millions of years ago is of great interest to scientists, especially considering that the planet's carbon dioxide levels are rising due to human-caused climate change. The late Eocene epoch saw carbon dioxide levels that were almost twice as high as they are now, according to Johann Klages. According to him, Earth might attain comparable levels in 150–200 years if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise.
Sediments from mid-Cretaceous period
In 2017, the research vessel Polarstern took Johann Klages and scientists on an expedition from Chile to West Antarctica. They extracted rock cores and sand from the icy seafloor using advanced drilling
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