🌍 Earth's hot-cold cycles explained by tectonic plates?

For millions of years, the Earth has oscillated between ice ages and warmer episodes. The movements of the ground beneath our feet could play a much more important role in this cycle than previously assumed.

A recent study, published in Communications, Earth and Environment, indicates that the movements of tectonic plates on the Earth's surface greatly influence the climate. Contrary to a common belief, it is not only the areas that generate volcanism that are taken into account.


To arrive at this conclusion, the researchers used computer models to trace the journey of carbon over 540 million years. Their work indicates that oceanic ridges and continental rifts, where plates move apart, release more carbon dioxide than was estimated. These regions contribute significantly to the deep carbon cycle. This mechanism provides reasons why our planet shifts from hot to cold states over time.

The volcanoes of island arcs are currently perceived as the major geological sources of carbon. However, this study shows that before the appearance of calcifying planktonic organisms about 200 million years ago, emissions from oceanic ridges were predominant. These small marine creatures altered the balance by sequestering carbon in sediments, which had an impact on emissions over the last 120 million years.

These findings provide a new understanding of the climate balance by showing that the climate depends on the Earth's internal dynamics. They allow for a better grasp of the mechanisms that regulate the climate over long periods, integrating both natural cycles and human influence.