STUDY: By Greg Retallack, geologist at the University of Oregon, presented at the Geological Society of America's annual meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah.
~Read his interesting: Preservation theory:
-Click-Image- Panorama of Sipapu Natural Bridge!
"It was the widespread death and burial of animals and their carbon that created fossil bonanzas, the likes of which may have saved us from the heat sterilization experienced by our sister planet," Retallack said.
(He bases his theory on a compilation of unusually well preserved fossils found around the world, including fish, crustaceans, insects, and other ancient life forms.)
"In some mass extinctions, the scientist says, greenhouse gases "ramped up"...to intolerable levels of more than ten times the modern level of atmospheric carbon dioxide," Retallack explains.
(Volcanic activity and outbursts of undersea gases are the prime suspects for these periods of lethal pollution.)
Photo: CW | Chengjiang in Yunnan Province]
At Chengjiang in Yunnan Province, China, two forms of the iron-sulfur mineral pyrite, also known as fool's gold, has preserved details as delicate as tiny leg hairs and nose spines on the earliest animals.
I find it fascinating that due to the process of fossilization, life sustained itself on our planet. Within the continuing cycles of the process of evolution and renewal of life, we must not be afraid of inevitable Earth changes.
[Illustration courtesy Destination Grand Canyon; New Glass "Skywalk"]
Hat tip: Nat. Geo
-Click-Image- For Panorama of Evolution Lake! (Quick-time)
"Having fun with Global Warming."...M.B. (^__^)
~The Part-Time Pundit is hosting The
carnival of the vanities Nov 9th edition.
...Enjoy the excellent posts!
~Visit and link these fine sites:
jos cafe | basils blog | macstansbury
adams blog | don surber | onebigdog
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