The concept of “Snowball Earth” posits that most of the Earth was ice-covered during two long-lived ice ages in the Cryogenian Period (~720–635 million years ago), whereas the few ice ages that have occurred in Earth’s history since the Cryogenian Period are thought to be similar to the modern, where ice is restricted to high latitudes and high altitudes. However, preliminary paleomagnetic data (which can be used to determine the ancient latitude at which rocks were formed) suggest that Ediacaran-age (~570 million years old) glacial deposits preserved in northern Norway may have been laid down at low latitude, possibly indicating another, younger Snowball Earth episode. If true, the recognition of this younger, possibly global glaciation event would have important and widespread implications for our understanding of Earth’s climate history.
In this project, we will further investigate the paleomagnetic record of these Ediacaran glacial deposits to better establish the latitude at which they were formed. This work will involve fieldwork in northern Norway, as well as microscopy and experimental paleomagnetic analyses in the Ivar Giæver Geomagnetic Laboratory.
By refining constraints on the timing, duration, and geographic extent of late Neoproterozoic glaciation, this research will help test competing models for Earth’s past climate stability and the mechanisms capable of driving the planet into and out of extreme icehouse conditions. The results will also contribute to ongoing debates about possible links between global-scale glaciation, the chemical evolution of the oceans and atmosphere, and the emergence and diversification of complex life.
