. 24/7 Space News .
EARLY EARTH
Link between continental breakup, volcanic carbon emissions may influence evolution
by Brooks Hays
Washington (UPI) Jul 21, 2017


New research suggests continental drift dictates volcanic carbon emissions.

The link between dramatic tectonic shifts -- the formation and breakup of the supercontinents -- and Earth's carbon cycle also has a strong influence on the trajectory of evolution, scientists argue.

When researchers from the University of Cambridge analyzed the chemical signatures of carbon and helium emanating from some 80 volcano's scatters about the globe, they found most volcanic emissions are recycled from rather shallow sources.

"This is an essential piece of geological carbon cycle puzzle," Cambridge researcher Marie Edmonds said in a news release.

However, scientists believe this was unlikely to be the case in the distant future.

The recent analysis revealed island arc volcanoes tend to emit less carbon overall, but more carbon from sources deep in the mantle, while continental volcanoes emit more carbon, the majority from shallow sources.

As continets formed and broke up over time, researchers hypothesize, the balance of power between continental and island arc volcanoes shifted back and forth, transforming Earth's carbon cycle. Island arc volcanoes dominated during the period of continental formation. But when continents split apart, continental volcanoes come into power.

These shifts are reflected in the isotopes of geologic strata. Until now, scientists thought changes in atmospheric oxygen were the sole factor influencing isotopic carbon ratios in limestone. The latest findings -- detailed in the journal Science -- suggest shifts in volcanic regimes can also alter limestone's chemical signature.

The revelation may force scientists to reconsider the evolutionary timeline, as paleontologists use isotopic carbon signatures in limestone as a proxy for the planet's habitability.

"This makes us fundamentally re-evaluate the evolution of the carbon cycle," said Edmonds. "Our results suggest that the limestone record must be completely reinterpreted if the volcanic carbon coming to the surface can change its carbon isotope composition."

EARLY EARTH
T. rex was probably pretty slow, scientists claim
Washington (UPI) Jul 18, 2017
The relationship between speed and size among animals plots a bell curve on a graph. At a certain point, size becomes a liability, not an asset. Such was the case for Tyrannosaurus rex. New research suggests the large dino species was a rather slower runner. In fact, he was mostly a walker. For small and medium sized animals, the larger the species the faster it can move. A rabbi ... read more

Related Links
Explore The Early Earth at TerraDaily.com


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

EARLY EARTH
Counting calories in space

As the world embraces space, the 50 year old Outer Space Treaty needs adaptation

Dutch project tests floating cities to seek more space

Creating Trends in Space: An Interview with NanoRacks CEO Jeffrey Manber

EARLY EARTH
Aerojet Rocketdyne tests Advanced Electric Propulsion System

After two delays, SpaceX launches broadband satellite for IntelSat

Spiky ferrofluid thrusters can move satellites

Hypersonic Travel Possibility Heats Up Massively After New Material Discovery

EARLY EARTH
Mars surface 'more uninhabitable' than thought: study

Mars Rover Opportunity continuing science campaign at Perseverance Valley

The Niagara Falls of Mars once flowed with lava

Russian Devices for ExoMars Mission to Be Ready in Fall 2017

EARLY EARTH
China develops sea launches to boost space commerce

Chinese satellite Zhongxing-9A enters preset orbit

Chinese Space Program: From Setback, to Manned Flights, to the Moon

Chinese Rocket Fizzles Out, Puts Other Launches on Hold

EARLY EARTH
Iridium Poised to Make Global Maritime Distress and Safety System History

100M Pound boost for UK space sector

HTS Capacity Lease Revenues to Reach More Than $6 Billion by 2025

SES Transfers Capacity from AMC-9 Satellite Following Significant Anomaly

EARLY EARTH
Nature-inspired material uses liquid reinforcement

Japanese engineers develop headset-less VR system

Spacepath Communications Announces Innovative Frequency Converter Systems

Signature analysis of single molecules using their noise signals

EARLY EARTH
Gulf of Mexico tube worm is one of the longest-living animals in the world

Big, shape-shifting animals from the dawn of time

Hidden Stars May Make Planets Appear Smaller

Astronomers Track the Birth of a 'Super-Earth'

EARLY EARTH
Juno Completes Flyby over Jupiter's Great Red Spot

NASA spacecraft to fly over Jupiter's Great Red Spot

New Mysteries Surround New Horizons' Next Flyby Target

Mid-infrared images from the Subaru telescope extend Juno spacecraft discoveries









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.