Orbital wobbles affected climate even during "Snowball Earth" - "even inside one of Earth’s great freezes, climate rhythms may still have been pulsing" ⚒️🧪
spacedaily.com/t-the-sturti...
spacedaily.com/t-the-sturti...
The Sturtian glaciation, the longest Snowball Earth event, lasted about 57 million years — almost as long as the age of mammals after the dinosaurs vanished — yet new research from Scottish rocks show...
The Sturtian glaciation is difficult to hold in the mind because its scale is so out of proportion to human history. It began roughly 717 million years ago
spacedaily.com
July 8, 2026 at 12:06 AM
Orbital wobbles affected climate even during "Snowball Earth" - "even inside one of Earth’s great freezes, climate rhythms may still have been pulsing" ⚒️🧪
spacedaily.com/t-the-sturti...
spacedaily.com/t-the-sturti...
⚒️🧪 An interesting study of the hypothesis that the Sturtian "Snowball Earth" event from around 720-660 Mya was caused by a Large Igneous Province eruption, through a very comprehensive exploration of model parameter space. 🧵
Neoproterozoic Snowball Earth Initiation From Silicate Weathering of a Large Igneous Province
The Franklin Large Igneous Province (LIP) may have caused the Sturtian Snowball given specific geologic properties and climate conditions Higher CO2 ${\text{CO}}_{2}$ levels earlier in Earth's hi...
agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
July 25, 2025 at 6:56 PM
⚒️🧪 An interesting study of the hypothesis that the Sturtian "Snowball Earth" event from around 720-660 Mya was caused by a Large Igneous Province eruption, through a very comprehensive exploration of model parameter space. 🧵
I have published my first Substack article! It is a long-form gallery feature reflecting on the Sturtian piece I did earlier this year, depicting life's baffling persistence against an environment antithesis.
open.substack.com/pub/cosmorga...
[ #art #SciArt #paleontology #science #geology ]
open.substack.com/pub/cosmorga...
[ #art #SciArt #paleontology #science #geology ]
~700 Ma: The Sturtian Glaciation
This gallery feature explores Earth’s longest and most catastrophic global ice age, and life’s persistence throughout and beyond the thaw. See the end for the artistic process and additional informati...
open.substack.com
June 13, 2026 at 4:56 PM
I have published my first Substack article! It is a long-form gallery feature reflecting on the Sturtian piece I did earlier this year, depicting life's baffling persistence against an environment antithesis.
open.substack.com/pub/cosmorga...
[ #art #SciArt #paleontology #science #geology ]
open.substack.com/pub/cosmorga...
[ #art #SciArt #paleontology #science #geology ]
Wow! ❄️
Checked out the paper agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.... in JGR Planets, and found that in addition to the usual (cryptic, jargon-full) "Abstract" it has a "Plain Language Summary" (that I actually understand).
Why don't all scientific papers include a Plain Language Summary ? 🧪
Checked out the paper agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.... in JGR Planets, and found that in addition to the usual (cryptic, jargon-full) "Abstract" it has a "Plain Language Summary" (that I actually understand).
Why don't all scientific papers include a Plain Language Summary ? 🧪
July 27, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Wow! ❄️
Checked out the paper agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.... in JGR Planets, and found that in addition to the usual (cryptic, jargon-full) "Abstract" it has a "Plain Language Summary" (that I actually understand).
Why don't all scientific papers include a Plain Language Summary ? 🧪
Checked out the paper agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.... in JGR Planets, and found that in addition to the usual (cryptic, jargon-full) "Abstract" it has a "Plain Language Summary" (that I actually understand).
Why don't all scientific papers include a Plain Language Summary ? 🧪
The Sturtian glaciation ~717−661 Ma
Earth’s 57-million-year-long ice age, before multicellular animals emerged or plants on land
Duration of Sturtian “Snowball Earth” glaciation linked to exceptionally low mid-ocean ridge outgassing 🧪
pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/geology/...
Earth’s 57-million-year-long ice age, before multicellular animals emerged or plants on land
Duration of Sturtian “Snowball Earth” glaciation linked to exceptionally low mid-ocean ridge outgassing 🧪
pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/geology/...
February 13, 2024 at 3:54 PM
The Sturtian glaciation ~717−661 Ma
Earth’s 57-million-year-long ice age, before multicellular animals emerged or plants on land
Duration of Sturtian “Snowball Earth” glaciation linked to exceptionally low mid-ocean ridge outgassing 🧪
pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/geology/...
Earth’s 57-million-year-long ice age, before multicellular animals emerged or plants on land
Duration of Sturtian “Snowball Earth” glaciation linked to exceptionally low mid-ocean ridge outgassing 🧪
pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/geology/...
We have a new paper out in PNAS led by Charlotte Minsky! Our research indicates that around 700 million years ago, Earth's climate may have been just One Snowball After Another.
sciencex.com/news/2026-04...
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
sciencex.com/news/2026-04...
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Snowball Earth may hide a far stranger climate cycle than anyone expected
During the Sturtian glacial period during the Neoproterozoic Era, Earth underwent periods of global glaciation, which have been described as either "Snowball" and "Slushball" Earth scenarios. In Snowb...
sciencex.com
May 1, 2026 at 8:22 PM
We have a new paper out in PNAS led by Charlotte Minsky! Our research indicates that around 700 million years ago, Earth's climate may have been just One Snowball After Another.
sciencex.com/news/2026-04...
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
sciencex.com/news/2026-04...
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
While I tend to identify more with paleontology, I was always the faculty member assigned to teach sed/strat. So, let's take a look at some sedimentary structures associated with the Sturtian glaciation! ⚒️🧪🧊
This just dropped, and I have a bunch of relevant pics. 🧵
This just dropped, and I have a bunch of relevant pics. 🧵
Interannual to multidecadal climate oscillations occurred during Cryogenian glaciation
During the two Cryogenian snowball Earth glaciations, the Sturtian (ca. 717–658 Ma) and Marinoan (ca. 639–635 Ma), ice persisted in the tropics for mi…
www.sciencedirect.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:56 PM
While I tend to identify more with paleontology, I was always the faculty member assigned to teach sed/strat. So, let's take a look at some sedimentary structures associated with the Sturtian glaciation! ⚒️🧪🧊
This just dropped, and I have a bunch of relevant pics. 🧵
This just dropped, and I have a bunch of relevant pics. 🧵
"Extreme temperatures and anoxia contributed to the ... delay in green algal production in the aftermath of the Sturtian glaciation and the subsequent reoxygenation of the iron-rich and sulfate-depleted ocean paved the way for evolution of animals."
🧪 #Geology ⚒️ #Paleobio
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh9502
🧪 #Geology ⚒️ #Paleobio
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh9502
September 7, 2023 at 8:23 PM
"Extreme temperatures and anoxia contributed to the ... delay in green algal production in the aftermath of the Sturtian glaciation and the subsequent reoxygenation of the iron-rich and sulfate-depleted ocean paved the way for evolution of animals."
🧪 #Geology ⚒️ #Paleobio
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh9502
🧪 #Geology ⚒️ #Paleobio
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh9502
[1/3] L'étude montre qu'après la #déglaciation du #Sturtien (vers 661 millions années) les océans ont connu une forte #désoxygénation. Malgré un apport temporaire en nutriments l’anoxie persistante a limité la diversification biologique freinant l’émergence des 1ers animaux. #geography #oceanography
Ocean deoxygenation after the Sturtian Snowball - Nature Communications
A post-Sturtian Snowball episode of ocean deoxygenation, followed by a shift toward less reducing, but still largely anoxic conditions in the ocean, is characterised by nutrient and sulfate limitation...
www.nature.com
July 2, 2025 at 5:34 AM
[1/3] L'étude montre qu'après la #déglaciation du #Sturtien (vers 661 millions années) les océans ont connu une forte #désoxygénation. Malgré un apport temporaire en nutriments l’anoxie persistante a limité la diversification biologique freinant l’émergence des 1ers animaux. #geography #oceanography
Metal-Fueled Methane Oxidation Triggers Sturtian Deglaciation
In a groundbreaking development that reshapes our understanding of Earth’s climatic history, researchers have unveiled a vital link between metal-driven anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) and the Sturtian deglaciation, a pivotal event…
In a groundbreaking development that reshapes our understanding of Earth’s climatic history, researchers have unveiled a vital link between metal-driven anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) and the Sturtian deglaciation, a pivotal event…
Metal-Fueled Methane Oxidation Triggers Sturtian Deglaciation
In a groundbreaking development that reshapes our understanding of Earth’s climatic history, researchers have unveiled a vital link between metal-driven anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) and the Sturtian deglaciation, a pivotal event more than 700 million years ago. This revelation not only illuminates a crucial biogeochemical process but also offers fresh insight into the mechanisms that helped end one of Earth’s most extensive Snowball Earth glaciations.
scienmag.com
August 6, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Metal-Fueled Methane Oxidation Triggers Sturtian Deglaciation
In a groundbreaking development that reshapes our understanding of Earth’s climatic history, researchers have unveiled a vital link between metal-driven anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) and the Sturtian deglaciation, a pivotal event…
In a groundbreaking development that reshapes our understanding of Earth’s climatic history, researchers have unveiled a vital link between metal-driven anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) and the Sturtian deglaciation, a pivotal event…
How do Earth’s glacial periods end? A study of the Sturtian and Marinoan snowball Earths finds that while the former likely ended due to slow volcanic outgassing of CO2, the latter likely ended due to a disturbance of the surface albedo. In PNAS: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
May 1, 2025 at 7:53 PM
How do Earth’s glacial periods end? A study of the Sturtian and Marinoan snowball Earths finds that while the former likely ended due to slow volcanic outgassing of CO2, the latter likely ended due to a disturbance of the surface albedo. In PNAS: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Also Hülse und Ridgwell reden in ihrem Paper von Zeiträumen um 50000 Jahren, also eine Verkürzung des Milancovic-Zyklus.
Das hat aber mit einer "kleinen Eiszeit ab 2030" überhaupt keinen Zusammenhang.
Sie liefern eher eine Erklärung für Huronian (vor 2.4 Mrd Jahren) und Sturtian Vereisung.
Das hat aber mit einer "kleinen Eiszeit ab 2030" überhaupt keinen Zusammenhang.
Sie liefern eher eine Erklärung für Huronian (vor 2.4 Mrd Jahren) und Sturtian Vereisung.
August 11, 2026 at 7:47 AM
Also Hülse und Ridgwell reden in ihrem Paper von Zeiträumen um 50000 Jahren, also eine Verkürzung des Milancovic-Zyklus.
Das hat aber mit einer "kleinen Eiszeit ab 2030" überhaupt keinen Zusammenhang.
Sie liefern eher eine Erklärung für Huronian (vor 2.4 Mrd Jahren) und Sturtian Vereisung.
Das hat aber mit einer "kleinen Eiszeit ab 2030" überhaupt keinen Zusammenhang.
Sie liefern eher eine Erklärung für Huronian (vor 2.4 Mrd Jahren) und Sturtian Vereisung.
Snowball Earth may hide a far stranger climate cycle than anyone expected
sciencex.com/news/2026-04...
sciencex.com/news/2026-04...
Snowball Earth may hide a far stranger climate cycle than anyone expected
During the Sturtian glacial period during the Neoproterozoic Era, Earth underwent periods of global glaciation, which have been described as either "Snowball" and "Slushball" Earth scenarios. In Snowb...
sciencex.com
April 29, 2026 at 1:14 AM
Snowball Earth may hide a far stranger climate cycle than anyone expected
sciencex.com/news/2026-04...
sciencex.com/news/2026-04...
Tectonic culprit for the most severe known glaciation of our planet: "...model implies that the trigger for the Sturtian glaciation could have been a combination of an extremely low MOR outflux (∼9 Mt C/yr) and Franklin LIP weathering."
doi.org/10.1130/G516...
🧪 #Paleobio #EvoBio ⚒️ #Geology
doi.org/10.1130/G516...
🧪 #Paleobio #EvoBio ⚒️ #Geology
February 8, 2024 at 9:23 PM
Tectonic culprit for the most severe known glaciation of our planet: "...model implies that the trigger for the Sturtian glaciation could have been a combination of an extremely low MOR outflux (∼9 Mt C/yr) and Franklin LIP weathering."
doi.org/10.1130/G516...
🧪 #Paleobio #EvoBio ⚒️ #Geology
doi.org/10.1130/G516...
🧪 #Paleobio #EvoBio ⚒️ #Geology
www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/...
Not allowed to read but cool artistic picture
Sturtian glaciation (750 to 700 million years ago)
Credit: Mikkel Juul Jensen, Science Photo Library
Not allowed to read but cool artistic picture
Sturtian glaciation (750 to 700 million years ago)
Credit: Mikkel Juul Jensen, Science Photo Library
February 6, 2026 at 9:16 PM
www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/...
Not allowed to read but cool artistic picture
Sturtian glaciation (750 to 700 million years ago)
Credit: Mikkel Juul Jensen, Science Photo Library
Not allowed to read but cool artistic picture
Sturtian glaciation (750 to 700 million years ago)
Credit: Mikkel Juul Jensen, Science Photo Library
My latest paper is out in @pnas.org! We argue that the Sturtian Snowball may have actually alternated between ice-covered and ice-free states, offering a self-consistent solution to questions in the geologic record about the Sturtian climate & survival of aerobic life 👀 www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
April 27, 2026 at 9:01 PM
My latest paper is out in @pnas.org! We argue that the Sturtian Snowball may have actually alternated between ice-covered and ice-free states, offering a self-consistent solution to questions in the geologic record about the Sturtian climate & survival of aerobic life 👀 www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
The basic idea: the Franklin LIP, now in northern Canada, erupted at low latitudes just before the Sturtian: this led to enhanced silicate weathering that removed CO2 from the atmosphere fast enough for the (positive) ice-albedo feedback to overcome the (negative) silicate weathering feedback.
July 25, 2025 at 6:56 PM
The basic idea: the Franklin LIP, now in northern Canada, erupted at low latitudes just before the Sturtian: this led to enhanced silicate weathering that removed CO2 from the atmosphere fast enough for the (positive) ice-albedo feedback to overcome the (negative) silicate weathering feedback.
New paper helps tie down the start, age and duration of the Cryogenian 'Sturtian' glaciation. Zircons in the Port Askaig Formation from the Garvellach Islands show YSG younging-upwards and help the case for a 'Golden Spike' there. For now we make do with a golden carrot! doi.org/10.1144/jgs2...
August 23, 2024 at 10:11 AM
New paper helps tie down the start, age and duration of the Cryogenian 'Sturtian' glaciation. Zircons in the Port Askaig Formation from the Garvellach Islands show YSG younging-upwards and help the case for a 'Golden Spike' there. For now we make do with a golden carrot! doi.org/10.1144/jgs2...
#EGU25 I haven't been attempting to go to everything I am potentially interested in (that's a lot), but I've been randomly dropping in on sessions in my orbit, and some random other things. Monday, I went to the session on the Neoproterozoic (the time of the Sturtian and Marinoan Snowballs).
April 30, 2025 at 12:25 PM
#EGU25 I haven't been attempting to go to everything I am potentially interested in (that's a lot), but I've been randomly dropping in on sessions in my orbit, and some random other things. Monday, I went to the session on the Neoproterozoic (the time of the Sturtian and Marinoan Snowballs).
This was before plants existed on land and that lack of ground cover and lower surface temperature of Earth created the perfect ‘Goldilocks’ style environment for Snowball Earth to exist.
Learn more: agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/... #AGUPubs
Learn more: agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/... #AGUPubs
Neoproterozoic Snowball Earth Initiation From Silicate Weathering of a Large Igneous Province
The Franklin Large Igneous Province (LIP) may have caused the Sturtian Snowball given specific geologic properties and climate conditions
Higher CO2 ${\text{CO}}_{2}$ levels earlier in Earth's hi...
agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
July 3, 2025 at 8:07 PM
This was before plants existed on land and that lack of ground cover and lower surface temperature of Earth created the perfect ‘Goldilocks’ style environment for Snowball Earth to exist.
Learn more: agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/... #AGUPubs
Learn more: agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/... #AGUPubs
the postprint is here! essopenarchive.org/doi/full/10....
also happy to send PDFs to anyone who DMs or emails me :)
also happy to send PDFs to anyone who DMs or emails me :)
Neoproterozoic Snowball Earth Initiation from Silicate Weathering of a Large Igneous Province
The causes of Snowball Earth events, rare global glaciations important for the evolution of life, are unknown. Recent geochronology of the Sturtian Snowball and Franklin Large Igneous Province (LIP) s...
essopenarchive.org
June 3, 2025 at 3:29 PM
the postprint is here! essopenarchive.org/doi/full/10....
also happy to send PDFs to anyone who DMs or emails me :)
also happy to send PDFs to anyone who DMs or emails me :)
I like this recent explanation for what may have been the cause and its intro cites a lot of other work that's good (article is open access):
Duration of Sturtian “Snowball Earth” glaciation linked to exceptionally low mid-ocean ridge outgassing | Geology | GeoScienceWorld
pubs.geoscienceworld.org
February 9, 2026 at 5:09 PM
I like this recent explanation for what may have been the cause and its intro cites a lot of other work that's good (article is open access):
Slightly late to the party, but here's a link to access our new open access paper reporting "Interannual to multidecadal climate oscillations occurred during Cryogenian glaciation" led by the amazing @cgrifgeo.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Interannual to multidecadal climate oscillations occurred during Cryogenian glaciation
During the two Cryogenian snowball Earth glaciations, the Sturtian (ca. 717–658 Ma) and Marinoan (ca. 639–635 Ma), ice persisted in the tropics for mi…
www.sciencedirect.com
February 15, 2026 at 10:56 PM
Slightly late to the party, but here's a link to access our new open access paper reporting "Interannual to multidecadal climate oscillations occurred during Cryogenian glaciation" led by the amazing @cgrifgeo.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...