Researchers at the University of Rochester discovered that the magnetic field of Earth was altered—with a great oxygen concentration – during the period Ediacaran from 635 to 541 million years ago.
This composition may have contributed to the emergence of complex multicellular organisms, characteristic of this era. The discovery helps to understand the formation of the planet's interior and research into the potential for extraterrestrial life.
The Edicardian fauna stands out for its similarity to the first animals, with organisms reaching more than one meter and showing signs of mobility — which could mean that they needed more oxygen than the previous ones.
Earth's magnetic field is formed by liquid iron located 4,500 kilometers below the surface. It is responsible for protecting the planet from the solar wind, which allows life to be maintained.
During the Ediacaran period, this field was 30 times weaker than what we have today, which contributed to the Sun's particles being able to remove hydrogen from the surface and increase the concentration of oxygen.
For this analysis, a technique was used that studies the magnetism trapped in ancient feldspar and pyroxene crystals. These contain particles that preserve magnetization from the moment they were formed. By dating the rocks, researchers are able to construct a timeline of the development of Earth's magnetic field.
This low force remained for 26 million years, until the Cambrian period. According to John A. Tarduno, professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Rochester, “if the extraordinarily weak field had remained after the Ediacaran, the Earth might have looked very different than it does today, a rich planet. in water. Her loss could have gradually dried up the Earth.”
Greater understanding of how the magnetic field influenced the composition of our planet's surface could help researchers discover more about possible life beyond Earth.
The study was published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment and can be read here.
Source: CNN Brasil
Charles Grill is a tech-savvy writer with over 3 years of experience in the field. He writes on a variety of technology-related topics and has a strong focus on the latest advancements in the industry. He is connected with several online news websites and is currently contributing to a technology-focused platform.
