Earth's 'boring billion': The era of 19-hour days and evolutionary slowdown
PTC News Desk: In Earth's turbulent past, there existed a fascinating era known as the 'boring billion', characterised by reduced tectonic activity, climatic stability, and slow biological evolution. A recent study published in Nature Geoscience sheds light on this period, revealing that Earth's rotation slowed, resulting in a day lasting approximately 19 hours.
According to scientists Ross Mitchell from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Uwe Kirscher from Curtin University, the Moon played a significant role in this phenomenon. Over time, the Moon's gravitational pull gradually boosted its own orbit, extracting rotational energy from Earth.
By analysing geological data and studying rhythmic climate changes influenced by astronomical factors, such as Earth's wobble and axial tilt, the researchers uncovered the secrets of this peculiar era.
The study proposes that the 'boring billion' was initiated by substantial fluctuations in atmospheric conditions, including the Great Oxidation Event. During this event, oxygen levels surged, forming an ozone layer that later dissipated.
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The introduction of this additional ozone layer could have absorbed more sunlight compared to water vapor, leading to the creation of lesser-known solar tides. These solar tides resonated through the atmosphere as it heated during daylight hours.
While solar atmospheric tides are not as powerful as the Moon's gravitational forces governing oceanic tides, their influence was more significant during that period. When Earth rotated at a faster rate, the Moon's gravitational pull was considerably weaker, only a quarter of its current strength.
If Mitchell and Kirscher's hypothesis holds true, the injection of ozone and intensified solar tides may have counterbalanced opposing forces, resulting in Earth entering a phase of stability with consistent 19-hour days. This intriguing discovery offers insights into Earth's fascinating history and the intricate interplay of celestial and atmospheric forces that have shaped our planet.
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- With inputs from agencies
