Search results for “Glaciation”

How Atlantic herring rewired reproduction to survive a new sea

A recent study reveals that Atlantic herring rewired its reproduction to survive in the Baltic Sea's low-salinity waters through four key genetic adaptations. These adaptations enabled the species to reproduce successfully despite the challenging environmental conditions, highlighting the importance of gene function and regulation in e...

The cinema effect: Turning films into a gateway to science

How the Atlantic herring adapted to the brackish water of the Baltic Sea

A new study reveals that four specific genes are crucial for the Atlantic herring's adaptation to low salinity in the Baltic Sea. The genes, expressed in sperm, eggs, and early embryos, enable the fish to reproduce successfully in brackish water.

Old plant populations offer new clues to climate resilience

A new explanation for 'Snowball Earth'

African frogs haven’t forgotten the ice ages. Scientists can tell by where they live.

Scientists have found that African frogs' diversity is linked to historical climate conditions, indicating they adapted to changing environments. The study suggests that even after 12,000 years, tropical frogs still remember the impact of past ice ages on their habitats.

Subglacial weathering may have slowed Earth's escape from snowball Earth

A new study suggests that chemical weathering beneath thick continental ice sheets may have consumed atmospheric carbon dioxide and prolonged global glaciations during the snowball Earth event. This process could have slowed atmospheric warming and delayed deglaciation, helping to explain the long durations of some snowball Earth events.

Ancient rocks reveal annual climate cycles during Snowball Earth

Scientists have discovered evidence of repeating climate cycles operating every few years to decades during the Cryogenian glaciation, a period known as Snowball Earth. The findings suggest that these cycles were likely exceptions rather than the norm, and were triggered by small patches of open ocean in the tropics.

New study reveals evolutionary and domestication history of button mushroom

A large-scale population genomic study has shed new light on the evolutionary history of the button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), one of the most widely cultivated edible fungi in the world. Climate dynamics and a key gene for adaptive evolution and domestication jointly shaped the mushroom's diversity.

New study finds large fluctuations in sea level occurred throughout the last ice age, a significant shift in understanding of past climate

A new study published in Science reveals that large fluctuations in global sea level occurred throughout the last ice age, rather than just at its end. This finding represents a significant shift in researchers' understanding of past climate history and challenges conventional wisdom on the middle Pleistocene transition.

Hippos lived in Europe during the last ice age

New study reveals hippos inhabited Upper Rhine Graben in southwestern Germany between 47,000 and 31,000 years ago. The discovery challenges previous understanding of hippo extinction in central Europe during the last ice age.

Frozen clues: Mars’ crater deposits reveal a history of shrinking ice volumes through ages

A new study on Mars crater deposits reveals the planet went through repeated ice ages driven by shifts in its axial tilt, resulting in a gradual drying of the planet. The study provides insights that can be applied to Earth's changing environment and helps identify safe regions for future missions.

Natural barriers disturb the ecosystems in northern Sweden’s rivers

Research from Umeå University reveals that natural barriers shape the flow of water and hinder plant dispersal in rivers shaped by the last Ice Age. The study found no clear correlations between drainage area and channel width, or consistent increase in plant species diversity downstream.

Genome sequencing of butterflies resolves centuries-old conundrum

A new study sequenced the genomes of glasswing butterflies, revealing six previously unrecognized species and shedding light on their rapid diversification. The research also showed that these butterflies use chemical communication to recognize each other, despite their similar appearances.

New research casts doubt on ancient drying of northern Africa’s climate

Researchers analyzed leaf waxes and found no significant drying trend in northern Africa between 3.5 and 2.5 million years ago. This challenges previous interpretations of the climate history of the region. The study suggests that dust deposits may be attributed to changes in wind patterns rather than rainfall.

Tempo of Late Ordovician Mass Extinction controlled by rate of climate change: study

The Late Ordovician Mass Extinction was caused by the rapid onset of global warming after the Hirnantian glaciation. The extinction lasted approximately 400 kyr with an average species extinction rate of 71.6% per 100 kyr during this period.

Study reveals that the final stages of the last glaciation led to human migration eastwards in prehistoric Europe

The study analyzed the impact of climate change during the late Palaeolithic and found that humans migrated eastwards to adapt to new climate conditions. The European population may have decreased by up to half during the Younger Dryas event, but populations in central and eastern Europe increased.

New species revealed after 25 years of study on ‘inside out’ fossil – and named after discoverer’s mum

A new species of multisegmented fossil has been discovered in the Soom Shale with exceptionally preserved insides, including muscles, sinews, and tendons. The fossil, named Keurbos susanae, provides a unique glimpse into the evolutionary relationships of ancient arthropods.

Scientists match Earth’s ice age cycles with orbital shifts

A team of researchers has matched Earth's ice age cycles with orbital shifts, predicting the onset of the next ice age in approximately 10,000 years. The study analyzes a one-million-year record of climate change and finds a predictable pattern for glacial and interglacial periods.

AI enables a major innovation in glacier modelling and offers groundbreaking simulation of the last Alpine glaciation

Scientists at the University of Lausanne used AI to simulate the last Alpine glaciation, finding ice covers 35-50% thinner than previous models. The new approach enables unprecedented accuracy and resolution, making it possible to describe complex topography numerically.

Evolution of fast-growing fish-eating herring in the Baltic Sea

A new study found that a unique population of large fish-eating herring has evolved in the Baltic Sea, exhibiting faster growth rates and lower levels of pollutants. These herring have adapted to the brackish water by switching from plankton-eating to a fish diet, with potential benefits for human consumption.

Filling a gap: New study uncovers Proterozoic eukaryote diversity, and how environment was a driver

A new study has uncovered the diversity of Proterozoic eukaryotes, showing that severe Cryogenian glaciations drove a pivotal shift in their evolution. The research provides valuable insights into the relationship between environmental changes and the evolutionary history of life on Earth.

Industrial air pollution triggers ice formation in clouds, reducing cloud cover and boosting snowfall

A new study reveals that industrial air pollution can trigger ice formation in supercooled clouds, reducing cloud cover and increasing regional snowfall. This phenomenon could help improve climate modeling and mitigation strategies.

Fossils unveil how southern Europe’s ecosystem changed through Glacial-Interglacial Stages

Fossils from over 600,000 years ago show a shift in animal communities between warm and cold climate fluctuations. The Notarchirico site provides evidence of the emergence and disappearance of species such as cave lions, straight-tusked elephants, and red deer.

Ice age clues point to more extreme weather patterns in our future

A new study published in Nature suggests that Earth's last ice age may provide crucial insights into future El Niño weather events. Researchers used ancient shells of marine organisms and advanced climate modeling to shed light on how El Niño patterns might change in a warming world.

Expanding Earth science education beyond traditional field trips

Non-traditional field trip locations, such as urban settings and Disney Resorts, offer accessible outdoor educational opportunities. These locations showcase cross sections of corals and reef debris, ancient Ordovician fossils, and outcrop analogs that provide valuable insights into modern reef systems and broader earth history.

Scottish and Irish rocks confirmed as rare record of ‘snowball Earth’

A rock formation spanning Ireland and Scotland has been confirmed as a rare record of the 'snowball Earth' period, when the globe was covered in ice. The Port Askaig Formation, composed of layers up to 1.1km thick, dates back to 662-720 million years ago during the Sturtian glaciation.

The dawn of the Antarctic ice sheets

The Antarctic ice sheet formed around 34 million years ago in the eastern region of the continent, rather than the entire continent as previously thought. The study reveals that different regions of the ice sheet react differently to external influences and climatic changes.

Yale joins the ‘Snowball’ fight over global deep freeze periods

A Yale-led research team suggests that large asteroids could have triggered 'Snowball Earth' events, where the planet's surface was covered in ice for thousands of years. The study found that asteroid strikes could have tipped Earth into a state with sea ice thickness of up to 10 meters, even if initial climate conditions were already ...

What turned Earth into a giant snowball 700m years ago? Scientists now have an answer

Researchers found that historically low volcanic carbon dioxide emissions, combined with weathering of a large pile of volcanic rocks in Canada, led to the prolonged Sturtian glaciation. The team used plate tectonic modeling and computer simulations to investigate the cause and duration of this ice age.

UB study challenges the classical view of the origin of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and warns of its vulnerability

A new study from UB and CSIC challenges the classical view on the origins of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, a key regulator of the planet's climate. The research reveals that the current dates later than the beginning of the Antarctic glaciation, making it sensitive to changes in climate conditions.

600-million-year-old ocean water from Himalayas provides clues to Earth’s past

Scientists have discovered ancient ocean water trapped in mineral deposits in the Himalayas, providing insights into Earth's past climate and oxygen levels. The deposits suggest that slow-growing cyanobacteria may have triggered a major oxygenation event around 700-500 million years ago.

“Warm Ice Age” changed climate cycles

Researchers from Heidelberg University identified a pivotal step in the Earth's later climate development, finding that a warm ice age around 700,000 years ago led to changes in global climate rhythms. This 'warm ice age' caused accumulation of excess continental ice, resulting in prolonged and far-reaching glaciation.

Researchers find several oceanic bottom circulation collapses in the past 4.7 million years

The study reveals that Antarctic bottom water (AABW) has collapsed several times in the past, with these collapses linked to an enhancement of North Atlantic Deepwater and intensified Northern Hemisphere glaciation. AABW collapse may have pulled Earth into harsher glacial climates in the past.

What crocodile DNA reveals about the Ice Age

Researchers from McGill University found that changes in sea levels during the Ice Age affected crocodile gene flow, isolating Caribbean and Pacific populations with distinct genetic mutations. The study reveals the resilience of American crocodiles to climate swings and highlights the need for targeted conservation efforts in Panama.

Magma and ice

Researchers discovered hydrated glass in Antarctic rocks that indicates polar glaciation during the Late Cretaceous, around 66-100 million years ago. The findings suggest that climate conditions in Antarctica were more complex than previously thought, with evidence of ice sheets existing alongside a generally warm and humid environment.

Researchers pulled a record of 700,000 years of tropical climate change from an Andean lakebed

Researchers have extracted a detailed record of 700,000 years of tropical climate change from an Andean lakebed, shedding light on the past 160,000 years. The discovery reveals that glaciers in the tropics followed a roughly 100,000-year cycle, with periods of wetness and dryness affecting global temperatures.

Impact of changing climate on Andean glaciers in sync with polar ice

A new study reveals that climate change is affecting Andean glaciers in sync with polar ice, suggesting the entire planet is connected. Researchers used sediment deposits from Lake Junín to create a record of glacial changes spanning 700,000 years.

Lessons from the past: How cold-water corals respond to global warming

A new study finds that cold-water corals thrive when food supply and oxygen content are available, but decline in response to changes. The research, led by MARUM, analyzed sediments from six locations and found that these factors have been critical to coral survival over the past 20,000 years.

Newly discovered lake may hold secret to Antarctic ice sheet’s rise and fall

Researchers have discovered a 30-mile-long, 9-mile-wide subglacial lake in East Antarctica that may hold the key to understanding the continent's glaciation history. The sediments at the bottom of Lake Snow Eagle could provide valuable insights into climate change and the ice sheet's possible demise.

Study supports stronger conservation efforts in Southeast glacial refugia regions

Researchers identified glacial refugia for Campanula americana and found that populations nearest the refugia had highest potential for speciation. This discovery highlights the importance of conserving habitats in Southeastern regions.

The formation of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet was very different than previously believed

Scientists have found that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet formed 35 million years ago, with warm deep water delaying its expansion to the sea. This discovery helps improve forecasts of its future stability and ice retreat.

Sediment cores from ocean floor could contain 23-million-year-old climate change clues

Researchers from Texas A&M University have discovered past methane release in the Southern Ocean during a peak glaciation 23 million years ago. This finding suggests that ancient methane gas hydrates could contribute to ocean acidification and low oxygen levels, similar to recent environmental issues in the Gulf of Mexico.

Genetic legacy of last glaciation influences reindeer’s seasonal migrations

A recent study published in PLOS Genetics found that genetic legacy from the last glaciation influences reindeer's migratory behavior. Caribou with more northern ancestry were more likely to migrate longer distances, highlighting an evolutionary adaptation to harsh tundra environments.

The last ice age widened the Aare and Gürbe valleys

Researchers reconstructed bedrock geometry using gravity measurements, finding that glaciers of 'Würm' glaciation mainly widened valleys rather than deepening them. The study also revealed U-shaped cross-sections and asymmetric geometries in overdeepenings beneath Aare and Gürbe valleys.

Air bubbles in Antarctic ice point to cause of oxygen decline

A recent study analyzing air bubbles preserved in Antarctic ice for up to 1.5 million years suggests that glacial erosion is likely responsible for the decline of atmospheric oxygen levels over the past 800,000 years.

New study reconstructs preglacial topography of mid-North America for first time

A research team has reconstructed the preglacial topography of North America's mid-continent, revealing how ice sheets reshaped the landscape and allowing researchers to understand rock erosion and deposition under ice. The findings also provide insights into water resources and availability in the region.

Volcanic fertilization of the oceans drove severe mass extinction, say scientists

Researchers found that intense volcanic activity led to a surge in phosphorus levels, driving ocean oxygen levels down and triggering a severe mass extinction. The study suggests that natural weathering of volcanic material may have been responsible for the sudden cooling events.

Asian climate variability and dynamics across early-to-middle pliocene warm period provide clues for future climate change

A recent study revealed Asian climate variability across the early-to-middle Pliocene Warm Period, providing insights into future climate change. The research found that CO2-induced global warming led to increased summer monsoon moisture transport over East Asia and aridification in Central Asia.

Hidden mangrove forest in the Yucatan peninsula reveals ancient sea levels

Researchers discovered an ancient mangrove ecosystem in the Yucatan Peninsula, revealing how coastal mangroves adapted to a warmer world with higher sea levels. The study provides insights into past climate change impacts and its relevance to future scenarios of relative sea-level rise.

Paleofjords that drained glaciers 300 million years ago still preserved in the desertic landscape of NW Namibia

Researchers discovered glacial erosion features in Namibia's Kaokoland region, dated to 300 million years ago. These ancient fjords were formed when ice sheets retreated and sea levels rose, preserving a unique example of Late Paleozoic glaciation.

Bacterial bloom as the earth thawed: Photosynthetic organisms during the snowball earth

Researchers from Tohoku University uncovered possible photosynthetic activity during the Marinoan glaciation, a period of extreme cold in Earth's history. The study suggests that bacteria and early eukaryotes experienced low productivity before the Ediacaran period, when complex multicellular life emerged.

Dog coat patterns have ancient origin

A new study by Professor Danika Bannasch and colleagues reveals that five distinct dog coat patterns have an ancient origin, dating back over 2 million years. The research suggests that lighter coat colors would have been advantageous to an extinct canid ancestor in arctic environments during glaciation periods.

Changes in Earth's orbit enabled the emergence of complex life

Scientists discovered that changes in Earth's orbit allowed for ice-free regions to develop on 'Snowball Earth', enabling periodic survival of animal life. The research found evidence of iron-rich sedimentary rocks forming in the icy ocean near colossal ice sheets, providing a sanctuary for complex multicellular life.

New marine sulfur cycle model after the Snowball Earth glaciation

Researchers propose novel sulfur cycle model incorporating volatile organosulfur compounds to explain global occurrence of superheavy pyrite. The Cryogenian interglacial interval saw sulfidic oceans with pervasive VOSC generation, leading to vertical isotopic gradients and superheavy pyrite precipitation.

New GSA Bulletin articles published ahead of print in April

New research reveals ancient Chinese arc magmatism preserved in the Chicxulub impact structure, shedding light on the Maya Block basement. Additionally, detrital zircon U-Pb ages from Antarctica's Victoria Land provide new constraints on the glaciation of southern Gondwana during the Late Paleozoic Ice Age.

Evidence for glaciation predating MIS-6 in the eastern Nyainqêntanglha, southeastern Tibet

Researchers found glacial deposits in the Bodui Zangbo River valley that date back to before MIS-6. The age of these deposits suggests a glacial advance occurred during MIS-12, likely due to surface uplift and decreased temperatures.

Early Mars was covered in ice sheets, not flowing rivers

New research published in Nature Geoscience reveals that early Mars was covered in ice sheets, not flowing rivers. The study analyzed over 10,000 Martian valleys and found striking similarities with subglacial channels in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.

Study: A plunge in incoming sunlight may have triggered 'snowball earths'

Scientists propose rate-induced glaciations as a possible explanation for Snowball Earth events, where a rapid decline in solar radiation can push the planet into a global ice age. The findings also suggest that exoplanets within habitable zones may be susceptible to similar temperature fluctuations.

Dust deposition and North American glaciation

A study of dust from southeastern Iran reveals frequent plumes from the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa correlate with rapid southward shifts of westerly winds. This suggests North American ice sheets exerted a stronger influence on West Asian climate during North Atlantic cooling events.