Snowball Earth by MagikUnicorn

Terragen • Landscape • posted on Dec 30, 2010

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Description

SNOWBALL EARTH Our image of the planet Earth is often one of a tender, protective matriarch. Recent scientific findings have led us to revise this notion. "Mother Earth," it seems, has not been such a fond protector, but quite the opposite. In fact, in its more than 4-billion-year history, our planet has been home to repeated violent climactic changes, which have caused mass extinctions. And yet, these same catastrophes also helped bring about the evolution of life on earth from the simplest microbes to the complexity and diversity that is found on the planet today. Featuring location footage, interviews with the world's foremost scientists and cutting-edge computer technology, Miracle Planet is a five-part series that recounts the profound and gripping story of Earth's mysterious evolution. Narrated by Christopher Plummer, it also reveals the surprising role that sheer chance has played in the development of life. Miracle Planet Episode 1 The Violent Past Part 1/4 HD Geological and palaeomagnetic studies indicate that ice sheets may have reached the Equator at the end of the Proterozoic eon, 800 to 550 million years ago, leading to the suggestion of a fully ice-covered 'snowball Earth'. Climate model simulations indicate that such a snowball state for the Earth depends on anomalously low atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, in addition to the Sun being 6 per cent fainter than it is today. However, the mechanisms producing such low carbon dioxide concentrations remain controversial. Here we assess the effect of the palaeogeographic changes preceding the Sturtian glacial period, 750 million years ago, on the long-term evolution of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels using the coupled climate–geochemical model GEOCLIM. In our simulation, the continental break-up of Rodinia leads to an increase in runoff and hence consumption of carbon dioxide through continental weathering that decreases atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations by 1,320 p.p.m. This indicates that tectonic changes could have triggered a progressive transition from a 'greenhouse' to an 'icehouse' climate during the Neoproterozoic era. When we combine these results with the concomitant weathering effect of the voluminous basaltic traps erupted throughout the break-up of Rodinia11, our simulation results in a snowball glaciation. Thanks Magik

Comments (67)

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MOSKETON

6:29PM | Thu, 30 December 2010

ME ENCANTA..

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bazza

6:42PM | Thu, 30 December 2010

Nice snowy image.. Wishing you a Happy New Year also Magik..

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masonspappy

7:08PM | Thu, 30 December 2010

Nice Terragen work! Just as I viewed this, my wife told me the freezer had stopped working. I know there's some irony here - I just can't put my finger on it

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scifibabe

8:22PM | Thu, 30 December 2010

Gorgeous snowy scene. Love your history here. Really interesting.

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danapommet

9:32PM | Thu, 30 December 2010

Fantastic render Magik. Looks real! Outstanding narrative and educational also. Wishing you and yours a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year! Dana

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magnus073

9:38PM | Thu, 30 December 2010

Magik, c'est une image fantastique vous avez créé mon ami. Cela semble si réaliste et je regarderai la vidéo. Le merci aussi pour l'histoire détaillée de la planète

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mickeyrony

9:44PM | Thu, 30 December 2010

Oufff .... Thou minds as we freeze, Réal . I like it. Advanced narration ((5 + +)) Oufff.... Tu nous gèles les esprits comme ,Réal . J'aime bien . Une narration évoluée ((5++))

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jocko500

9:47PM | Thu, 30 December 2010

did a real good jop on this

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DanB-Creations

10:41PM | Thu, 30 December 2010

Très intéressant et très belle image réaliste. Bonne et heureuse année cher ami.

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Madbat

12:05AM | Fri, 31 December 2010

You know the old saying "cruel to be kind'...that's our Mom!

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peedy

12:25AM | Fri, 31 December 2010

Fantastic scene. Great snow! Corrie

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erlandpil

2:20AM | Fri, 31 December 2010

Beautiful mountain picture erland

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Hendesse

2:55AM | Fri, 31 December 2010

Fantastic terrain and snow surfaces. Looks superb!!

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RodolfoCiminelli

3:48AM | Fri, 31 December 2010

Splendid and very beautiful work my friend.....!!! Happy New Year.....!!! #:O)

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UteBigSmile

3:55AM | Fri, 31 December 2010

Very beautiful looking scene & info, wish you also a Happy New Year 2011 dear Real, hug’s Ute

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rayag

4:11AM | Fri, 31 December 2010

Wonderful!Happy New Year to you !!!

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virginiese Online Now!

6:51AM | Fri, 31 December 2010

joli terrain ! bravo !

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renecyberdoc

8:04AM | Fri, 31 December 2010

excellent fascinating.happy new year to you.

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supermarioART

9:37AM | Fri, 31 December 2010

Fantastic work Magik!Very realistic!Happy New Year to you....and Mother Earth for a long time i hope...!

KnightWolverine

10:12AM | Fri, 31 December 2010

Happy New Year M.U.

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tcombs

10:36AM | Fri, 31 December 2010

BRRRRRRR! Shiver.

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GreenHawke

10:45AM | Fri, 31 December 2010

Cool! :-) Informative, too!

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RodS

5:24PM | Fri, 31 December 2010

Incredible render - very realistic, my friend! So much for global warming.... Fascinating information - I think I remember seeing this series, or one like it on the History Channel.

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