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The miracle of the Antarctic ice sheet: How did it begin to form 340,000 years ago?
The formation of the Antarctic ice sheet is a miracle of Earth's climate evolution, a process that dates back to the Pleistocene-Paleocene epoch 33.4 million years ago. Since then, Antarctica's ice sheet has not only changed the global climate system, but also affected biodiversity and human development. Now, scientists are exploring the history and science behind this spectacular phenomenon.
The beginning of the Ice Age
The Late Cenozoic Ice Age (also known as the Antarctic Ice Age) began 340,000 years ago, marking a critical climate turning point for the Earth. The beginning of this period is closely related to the formation of the Antarctic ice sheet.
"Six million years later, the East Antarctic Ice Sheet began to form, and then reached its current size 14 million years ago."
Climate Evolution
Before the Antarctic ice sheet formed, Earth once experienced a warm greenhouse climate. The Late Permian period 2.6 million years ago ended a climate period that was followed by a warm period of more than two million years. Average global temperatures during this period reached 30°C, allowing trees to grow lushly in the Antarctic region.
Formation of the Antarctic Ice Sheet
The formation of the Antarctic ice sheet is closely related to the decline in global CO2 concentrations. According to the study, 340,000 years ago, CO2 levels dropped to 750 ppm, a change that played an important role in driving the formation of ice sheets. At that time, most areas of Antarctica were gradually covered by ice, eventually forming today's East Antarctic Ice Sheet.
"About 29 million years ago, the Antarctic ice sheet first connected to the ocean."
Glacier expansion
As the climate cooled, the volume of glaciers gradually increased, and the Antarctic ice sheet was similar in size to its present size about 14 million years ago. Over the past 3 million years, glaciers have also begun to expand into the Northern Hemisphere, resulting in the emergence of ice sheets in the Atlantic and Arctic regions.
Glacier expansion in the Northern Hemisphere
During the glacial expansion of the late Miocene period, Greenland was greatly affected and ice sheets began to form. This process caused the climate of the entire Northern Hemisphere to change, further affecting the evolution of mankind.
Humans’ connection to glaciers
According to archaeological evidence, early humans experienced multiple cold and warm periods and adapted to changes in the environment. Among these changes, ice ages had a profound impact on human migration and livelihoods. 29,000 years ago, on this icy planet, humans migrated from Africa to other regions, a process known as human diffusion.
Current Ice Age and Future Predictions
Currently, the Earth is in the Holocene. Although the current period is a break from the Ice Age, with global climate change, future Ice Ages may make us feel the effects of cold again. According to scientists studying Milankovitch cycles, the current interval could last between 25,000 and 50,000 years.
"As greenhouse gas concentrations rise, future climate change will affect our way of life."
Conclusion
The formation of the Antarctic ice sheet is not only a witness to a period of geological history, but also the key to global climate change. In the future, as our understanding of climate change deepens, will we be able to find the best strategy to deal with climate change, just like the evolution of the Antarctic ice sheet?
