Scientists Say Arctic Once Was Tropical

Bored and yearning for a vacation in a tropical paradise with palm trees, relaxing waters, total privacy, and a temperature that would give you the perfect tan? Well, maybe if the concept of “vacation” existed in our ancestors, they could have vacationed in this ancient vacation hotspot, smacked in the middle of the Arctic.

Scientists recently announced that first of its kind core samples dug up deep beneath the Arctic Ocean floor show that 55 million years ago, an area in the North Pole was a subtropical paradise and that would be backed up by three new studies. With that, scientists now believe that the polar region before was warmer than thought, and its heat could be attributed to greenhouse gases that came about naturally.

Millions of years ago, the Earth experienced an extended period of natural global warming and 55 million years ago there was a sudden supercharged rise of carbon dioxide that contributed to the acceleration of the greenhouse effect.

Scientists could only offer scientific guesses as to the reasons why such phenomenon occurred- methane from the ocean, volcanic eruptions and the likes. With this new study, scientists speculate that the polar average was closer to 74 degrees. So most likely, the place was so watery, hot and swampy, and our ancestors’ vacation have been troubled by mosquitoes as big as our heads, yikes!

With the study, it shows that too much carbon dioxide (4 times more than the current levels) will cause global warming. Some scientists are speculating that a simple fern plant which is Azolla, could have help prevent and stop global warming. If that is proven to be true, then now is a good time to plant Azolla ferns–lots and lots of ’em.

Via newsday

Bored and yearning for a vacation in a tropical paradise with palm trees, relaxing waters, total privacy, and a temperature that would give you the perfect tan? Well, maybe if the concept of “vacation” existed in our ancestors, they could have vacationed in this ancient vacation hotspot, smacked in the middle of the Arctic.

Scientists recently announced that first of its kind core samples dug up deep beneath the Arctic Ocean floor show that 55 million years ago, an area in the North Pole was a subtropical paradise and that would be backed up by three new studies. With that, scientists now believe that the polar region before was warmer than thought, and its heat could be attributed to greenhouse gases that came about naturally.

Millions of years ago, the Earth experienced an extended period of natural global warming and 55 million years ago there was a sudden supercharged rise of carbon dioxide that contributed to the acceleration of the greenhouse effect.

Scientists could only offer scientific guesses as to the reasons why such phenomenon occurred- methane from the ocean, volcanic eruptions and the likes. With this new study, scientists speculate that the polar average was closer to 74 degrees. So most likely, the place was so watery, hot and swampy, and our ancestors’ vacation have been troubled by mosquitoes as big as our heads, yikes!

With the study, it shows that too much carbon dioxide (4 times more than the current levels) will cause global warming. Some scientists are speculating that a simple fern plant which is Azolla, could have help prevent and stop global warming. If that is proven to be true, then now is a good time to plant Azolla ferns–lots and lots of ’em.

Via newsday