Massive Lava Outburst: The Catalyst for Snowball Earth 717 Million Years Ago
Enormous volcanic eruptions, three times the size of Texas, may have triggered the "Snowball Earth" glaciation event 717 million years ago. The eruptions in northern Canada released sulfur-rich particles that blocked sunlight and caused cooling. Additionally, the acidic rain that followed the eruptions led to chemical weathering, which removed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and further cooled the planet. Researchers determined the timing of the volcanic outburst by analyzing crystals in rocks and concluded that chemical weathering was the primary cause of Earth's cooling. However, some experts remain skeptical about the timing of the glaciation event.