![Maps of GEOCLIM simulation (two time slices). “0” maps (left column) are the initial condition, “1” maps (right column) are at the perturbation peak (3 Myr of run time, cf Fig. 4a). (a0–1) Topography and oceanic O2 concentration at bottom of water column, (b0–1) physical erosion rate, showing enhanced physical erosion around the Variscan orogeny, and (c0– 1) regolith depletion quantified by the proportion of unweathered mineral at top of regolith. The uplifted area is contoured in magenta on each map. The boundaries of oceanic boxes, and their corresponding continental drainage basins are drawn on each map (white solid and blue dotted lines). GEOCLIM computes one mean O2 concentration for each of the 21 boxes. The maps panels (a0–1) show the mean concentrations of GEOCLIM bottom boxes drawn on the full geographic extent of these boxes at the oceanic resolution of the FOAM ocean-atmosphere general circulation model [90] simulations, which were used as GEOCLIM forcing. -- Science China Press](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/What-triggered-Earths.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Scientists have debated for decades what caused the Late Paleozoic climate transition from a greenhouse to an icehouse state ~350 million years ago. Some invoke a pronounced increase in continental […]
Science China Press
Posted inHabitable Zones, Press Release, Tethys, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Long-lived Mantle Plume Tracing The Onset And Spreading Of The Proto-Tethys Ocean
This study is led by Dr. Jinran Qiao (School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University), Prof. Shuguang Song (School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University), associate professor Jie […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Press Release
Biogeochemistry: How Our Planet Forms Hydrocarbons Deep Inside
The multi-spheric structure of the Earth forms its skeleton, and the geological molten fluids constitute its blood. Its essence is the cross-spheric migration and redistribution of volatiles (e.g., carbon, hydrogen, […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Habitable Zones, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Uncovering The Rock Record Of Earth’s Earliest Continental Crust
This study was led by Professor Jia Liu and Professor Qunke Xia from the School of Earth Sciences at Zhejiang University; researchers have taken a major step toward uncovering Earth’s […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Hydrated Pyrope Garnet Helps Understand Water Transport In Earth’s Mantle
Water plays an important role in the Earth’s evolution and dynamics, and it can be stored and delivered into the Earth’s interior by subducting slabs from the lithosphere.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Enceladus, Europa, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
An Icy Worlds Life Detection Strategy Based On Exo-AUV
Icy Worlds like Europa and Enceladus provide conditions for the survival of microorganisms. Conducting life detection in regions with high biological potential, such as the icy shell, ice-water interface and […]
Posted inBiophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Microfossil Qingjiangonema Sheds Light Evolution Of Sulfate-reducing Bacteria In Response To Oxygenation
Microbial sulfate reduction dating back to the Paleoarchean plays a crucial role in driving global carbon and sulfur cycles in ancient and modern Earth.
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Fossils & Paleontology, Habitable Zones, Press Release
Plate Tectonics In The Archean: Observation Versus Interpretation
The plate tectonics theory established in the 20th century has been successful in interpreting many geological phenomena, processes and events that have occurred in the Phanerozoic. However, the theory has […]
Posted inArctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Biophysics, Cryobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Icy Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Status Report
Acellular Players In The High Cryosphere: Diversity, Function And Activity Of The Global Supraglacial DNA Viruses
Supraglacial environments mainly consist of four main types of habitats for microbes and viruses, including snow, ice, meltwater, and cryoconites (the granular sediment on glacier surfaces).
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Mars, Press Release
Solid‒gas Carbonate Formation During Dust Events On Mars
A joint research team led by Dr. Xiaohui Fu and Dr. Zhongchen Wu from Shandong University, China, proposed a new carbonate formation mechanism in Martian dust activities based on simulation […]