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Ancient Rocks Challenge Snowball Earth Theory, Reveal Climate Cycles

2/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

University of Southampton researchers Thomas Gernon and Chloe Griffin studied Scotland's Garvellachs rocks around 700 million years ago, challenging the snowball Earth frozen-world idea.
They found 2,600 rock layers showing climate cycles similar to today, including solar cycles and El Niño.
The findings suggest brief thaw periods lasting a few thousand years.
The study is published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters and informs climate sensitivity.

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Story summary

University of Southampton researchers Thomas Gernon and Chloe Griffin studied Scotland's Garvellachs rocks around 700 million years ago, challenging the snowball Earth frozen-world idea.
They found 2,600 rock layers showing climate cycles similar to today, including solar cycles and El Niño.
The findings suggest brief thaw periods lasting a few thousand years.
The study is published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters and informs climate sensitivity.