All articles tagged with #earths habitability
A study finds a strong, statistically significant correlation between Earth's magnetic field strength and atmospheric oxygen levels over the past 540 million years, suggesting a deep connection between Earth's interior processes and surface environment that supports life.
Scientists have used advanced computer simulations to demonstrate how a runaway greenhouse effect can quickly transform a habitable planet into an inhospitable world. The research, conducted by astronomers from the University of Geneva and CNRS laboratories, reveals that even minor changes in solar luminosity or a slight increase in global average temperature could trigger a runaway effect, rendering a planet completely uninhabitable. The study serves as a stark warning about the potential consequences of climate change on Earth and provides insights into the understanding of exoplanets.
Scientists from the University of Bristol have used supercomputer climate models to predict that the formation of a new "supercontinent," Pangea Ultima, in approximately 250 million years could lead to extreme heat, making the Earth virtually uninhabitable for humans and mammals. The merging of continents would result in more volcanic eruptions, increased carbon dioxide levels, and a brighter sun, intensifying climate extremes. The combination of continentality effect, hotter sun, and high levels of CO2 would create temperatures of 40 to 50 degrees Celsius (104 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit), causing the extinction of humans and many other species unable to cope with the heat. Only a small percentage of land on the supercontinent would remain habitable for mammals, and carbon dioxide levels could double if fossil fuel burning continues.