Ancient Glaciers Shaped Earth's Oceans, Boosting Evolution of Complex Life

New research reveals how massive glaciations 700 million years ago altered ocean chemistry, paving the way for multicellular organisms.

During the Neoproterozoic era, global glaciations acted as geological bulldozers, scraping Earth's crust and releasing rare minerals into the oceans.
Researchers analyzed zircon grains from ancient rocks in Scotland and Ireland, uncovering evidence of intensified erosion during glacial periods.
The influx of minerals, including uranium, into oceans significantly altered ocean chemistry, supporting microbial life and early nutrient cycling.
These changes in ocean conditions likely contributed to the evolution of complex multicellular organisms after the Cryogenic period.
The study highlights parallels between ancient climate shifts and modern climate change, emphasizing Earth's interconnected systems.