Draft 1: The Theory of Snowball Earth

This topic submitted by Matt Beversdorf, Kathy Groome, Roopa Kamesh ( groomekr@muohio.edu ) on 1/24/02 .

Snowball Earth Theory

Question:
What is the snowball earth theory and what evidence supports it? Also is there any evidence that does not support it?

Specific Predictions:
We predict that there is some evidence that may point to a Paleoproterozoic snowball earth. However, the evidence will not be totally conclusive.

Preliminary Research Design:
We will search the literature and internet for articles and websites that provide discussion and evidence for and against the snowball earth theory. We will make an outline of the evidence for and against the theory. For our presentation we plan to present our outlines and open the discussion to the class. We plan to have questions prepared to stimulate discussion among the students. At the end of the discussion, we will ask the students if the believe the theory or not, and maybe tie the outcome of the “vote” to how theories are debated and accepted in the scientific world.

Literature:

Hoffman, P. F., D. P. Schrag. 2000. Snowball Earth. Scientific American. Vol. 1:

Hoffman, P. F., A. J. Kaufman, G. P. Halverson, D. P. Schrag. 1998. A Neoproterozoic Snowball Earth. Science. Vol. 281: 1342-46.

Hyde, W.T., Crowley, T.J., Baum, S.K., and Peltier, R. 2000. Neoproterozoic ‘Snowball Earth’ Simulations with a Coupled Climate/Ice-Sheet Model. Nature 405: 425-429

Kaufman, A.J. The Biogeochemical Aftermath of ‘Snowball Earth’ Conditions. The University of Maryland Department of Geology, College Park, MD.

Kirschvink, J. L., E. J. Gaidos, L. E. Bertani, N. J. Beukes, J. Gutzmer, L. N. Maepa, and R. E. Steinberger. Paleoproterozoic Snowball Earth: Extereme Climatic and Geochemcial Global Change and its Biological Consequences. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Vol. 97 (4): 1400-1405.

Websites:
Planktonic Paradise on Slushball Earth: a Scenario for the Metazoan Radiation. By Richard Cowen. (http://www-geology.ucdavis.edu:8000/~gel3/slushball.html)

Popsicle Planet. By Richard Monastersky. (http://www.sciencenews.org/sn_arc98/8_29_98/bob1html)

Comings and Goings of Global Glaciations on a Neoproterozoic Tropical Platform in Namibia. By Hoffman, P.E., Kaufman, A.J., and Halverson, G.P. (http://www.geosociety.org/pubs/gsatoday/gsat9805.htm)

Problems with Snowball Earth Theory. (http://irix.bris.ac.uk/~cj8639/Discussion_and_Criticism_S/Problems_with_a_snowball_earth/body_problems_with_a_snowball_earth.html)

Wikipedia: Snowball Earth (http://www.wikipedia.com/wiki/Snowball_Earth)

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