Study: Earth Has A ‘Natural Thermostat’ To Regulate Climate During Extreme Temperature Swings
1Jan - by Craig T Lee
https://www.studyfinds.org/earth-nat...ostat-climate/
PARIS — The possibility of controlling the Earth’s temperature has long led to various experiments by inquisitive scientists, but without great results.
Now a recent study found proof for the first time ever of a natural thermostat that helps regulate the planet during extreme temperature swings.
British scientists say they’ve discovered that the
preeminent mechanism that allows the Earth to recover from global cooling events is linked to the weathering of rocks. Rocks dissolve by rain and river water during the weathering process, and carbon dioxide is taken from the atmosphere to carbon-rich rocks in nearby waterways.
When weathering runs its course, there’s a decrease in carbon dioxide on our planet.
The researchers examined rocks from about 445 million years ago, which matches out to the second largest extinction period in the planet’s history. Using samples from Canada and Scotland, the rocks showed that the global chemical weathering rate declined, which meant less carbon dioxide was removed
and the climate was able to recover from the cool temperature.
“From looking at the relative abundance of lithium isotopes in ocean-derived rocks, we were able to
confirm that chemical weathering is the driver of the Earth’s natural thermostat,” explains lead scientist, Dr. Philip Pogge von Strandmann, in a news release.
“When there is a warmer climate, there is more weathering, and when it is cooler there is less weathering: this is what you would expect, given that chemical reactions go faster with increasing temperature.”
The researchers had discovered evidence in earlier studies that showed weathering played a significant part in the Earth cooling down during periods of extreme heat, but the latest study
proved just the opposite —
when the planet experiences major cold spells, weathering slows and the “natural thermostat” allows the world to warm back up.....
Proverbs 3:19
The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath He established the heavens.
Psalms 104:24
O LORD, how manifold are Thy works! in wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches.