Marinoan Glaciation Lasted 4 Million Years, Study Reveals Through Drone Imaging and Isotopic Dating.

A collaborative study by scientists from the University of California, Berkeley, and Boise State University has uncovered new insights into one of Earth's ancient ice ages—the Marinoan glaciation. By employing drone imaging and isotopic dating techniques, the researchers determined that this glacial period began roughly 639 million years ago and lasted around 4 million years. The findings were recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The Marinoan glaciation occurred during the Neoproterozoic Era, a time known for extreme climatic shifts. Previous studies have already identified two major ice ages during this era. The first, the Sturtian glaciation, spanned approximately 56 million years and is believed to have encased the planet entirely in ice. In contrast, much less has been understood about the Marinoan event—until now.

To investigate, the research team focused on glacial deposits in Namibia, a region previously identified as a key site for Marinoan-era geological evidence. Drones were deployed to capture high-resolution images of sedimentary rock formations. These formations displayed little vertical disruption, indicating that glacial movement was minimal during the Marinoan, suggesting a stable and enduring ice cover.

Complementing the drone surveys, the team conducted isotopic dating of volcanic ash layers found within the geological record. These ash layers—deposited before and during the Marinoan—served as chronological markers and offered clues to the volcanic activity that may have triggered the glaciation. The consistent structure of the ash layers indicated a prolonged cold spell rather than intermittent freezing and thawing periods.

This integrated approach enabled the researchers to identify both the onset and the duration of the Marinoan glaciation with greater precision than previously possible. Their findings suggest a single, continuous global freeze lasting about 4 million years.

The study adds to the growing body of evidence surrounding Earth’s ancient climate events and raises important questions about how life managed to persist under such extreme conditions. Some scientists theorize that geothermal vents on the ocean floor may have provided crucial sanctuaries for microbial life during these icy episodes.

Source:https://phys.org/news/2025-04-snowball-earth-drone-isotopic-dating.html

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