In this video, we're delving deeper into a mysterious anomaly that has captured the attention of scientists worldwide.
In 2006, something remarkable happened. They noticed an unprecedented spike in a key greenhouse gas, methane, saturating our atmosphere. This wasn't just any spike; it was a departure from the norm. You see, throughout Earth's history, ice age termination events have been marked by significant surges in methane levels. But here's the catch - these spikes were typically separated by vast expanses of time, often over 100 thousand years.
What we're facing now is something altogether different, and frankly, quite perplexing. It's been a mere 12 thousand years since the last surge, a blink of an eye in geological time, and nobody can explain how that was possible. Should we worry? Let’s find out.
Quaternary Period
In order to understand what is actually going on, we need to explain the period we live in.
Before we dive deeper into the methane anomaly and its implications, let's set the stage by journeying back in time to an epoch known as the Quaternary period. This span of Earth's history, which began around 2.6 million years ago, encompasses the era of ice ages and modern biodiversity as we know it.
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Glacial, Interglacial Periods, and Termination Events
So, from about 12 thousand years ago up until today, we've been in a special phase of Earth's history. This is when most of the ice sheets retreated, revealing more of our planet's surface. Technically, we're still in an ice age, but it's like we're in the tail end of it, where ice doesn't dominate the landscape anymore.
Now, as we zoom in on one of these termination events, a fascinating journey unfolds, revealing distinct phases that researchers have tirelessly explored for decades. Today, we've gained a deeper understanding of this process. So, let's dive straight in!
Phase One: Deglacial Onset
The Deglacial Onset marks the initial phase of an ice age termination event. This pivotal transition is primarily attributed to the well-known Milankovitch cycles - cyclical variations in Earth's orbit around the sun. These cycles play a profound role in shaping our planet's climate.
Now, let's delve into the specifics. Milankovitch cycles encompass three key elements.Phase Two: Full Deglaciation Period
During this phase, we witness an even more substantial melting of ice caps, leading to a corresponding rise in sea levels. To put it in simple terms, roughly 50 percent of the increase in sea level can be attributed to ice melt. Picture this scenario: you have a glass of water with an ice cube.
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Phase Three: Interglacial Period
With rising temperatures, the once ice-covered expanses now give way to flourishing vegetation. These newly thriving plants act as nature's carbon-absorbing machines, drawing CO2 out of the atmosphere. Over time, this carbon dioxide level naturally diminishes, as it's locked away in sediments and deposits. It's a stabilizing process, aimed at mitigating greenhouse gases like CO2 in the atmosphere.
Methane Map Explained
Methane, a molecule well-known to astronomers, even makes appearances high in the skies of distant planets, like Mars.
But it's not just a cosmic curiosity. Methane plays a crucial role in life here on Earth. It hides beneath the surface, a hidden treasure in the Earth's depths, and can be unearthed from the remnants of ancient plants and animals in places like swamps and wetlands.
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Credits: Ron Miller, Mark A. Garlick / MarkGarlick.com,Elon Musk/SpaceX/ Flickr
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00:00 Intro
01:10 Quaternary period
02:48 Glacial, Interglacial Periods, and Termination Events
04:10 Phase One: Deglacial Onset
06:30 Axial precession
08:10 Phase Two: Full Deglaciation Period
10:30 Phase Three: Interglacial Period
11:20 Methane map explained
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