Recent analysis signifies that Earth could have as soon as had rings much like these of Saturn. Scientists consider this ring system was created by the breakup of an asteroid round 466 million years in the past. This occasion coincided with vital meteorite impacts across the planet’s equatorial area. Researchers suggest that the ring’s formation might need contributed to international cooling, probably resulting in the Hirnantian Ice Age, one of many coldest intervals in Earth’s historical past.
Evidence from Meteorite Impacts
During this time, Earth skilled a excessive variety of meteorite impacts. The particles from these meteorites has been found in sedimentary rocks in Europe, Russia, and China. These rocks comprise meteorite fragments that have been uncovered to area radiation for a shorter interval than typical meteorites. Additionally, a number of tsunamis throughout this period recommend that these occasions have been interconnected.
Patterns in Impact Craters
Scientists have mapped out 21 influence craters from this era, all positioned close to the equator. Using plate tectonic fashions, they discovered that none of those craters have been close to the poles. Under regular circumstances, asteroid impacts can be distributed randomly throughout the globe, much like craters on the Moon and Mars. The uncommon focus of craters close to the equator led scientists to hypothesise that a big asteroid broke up near Earth, scattering particles that shaped each influence craters and a hoop system.
Rings and Planetary Cooling
The potential ring round Earth would have orbited close to the equator. As Earth’s axis is tilted, this ring might have partially blocked daylight, contributing to international cooling. This cooling impact might need performed a task in triggering the Hirnantian Ice Age, which started round 445 million years in the past. Scientists are actually engaged on fashions to raised perceive how the ring shaped and its influence on Earth’s local weather.
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