First Snowball Earth Huronian Glaciation

Huronian Glaciation Rock Specimen from Canada

According to scientific research, there have been three significant Snowball Earth occurrences in Earth's history: the Huronian, Sturtian, and Marinoan glaciations. These events were major glaciations, each occurring at different times with distinct characteristics.

This is a rare rock specimen from the Huronian Glaciation Espanola Formation, Ontario, Canada. The Huronian was the most extensive and expansive Ice Age.

When Was Snowball Earth and What Is the Snowball Earth Hypothesis?

There have been three known Snowball Earth events: the Huronian, Sturtian, and Marinoan glaciations. These geological events were intrinsic to helping to shape the evolution of life on Earth.

The Huronian Snowball Earth Glaciation

The Huronian glaciation occurred approximately 2.4 to 2.1 billion years ago during the Paleoproterozoic era. It was linked to the Great Oxygenation Event, which increased atmospheric oxygen and decreased methane, leading to global cooling. This was the first and most extensive ice age, with glaciers covering large parts of the planet, including equatorial regions. Geological evidence is found in the Huronian Supergroup, particularly in the Lake Huron region. The extent of this glaciation is difficult to determine, but it could have been a "slushball" or "snowball" Earth.

The Sturtian Snowball Earth Glaciation

The Sturtian glaciation occurred approximately 720 to 660 million years ago during the Cryogenian period of the Neoproterozoic era. It is believed to have been triggered by a significant reduction in volcanic carbon dioxide emissions, leading to dramatic cooling. Evidence suggests this glaciation covered the entire planet from the poles to the equator. Geological evidence includes striations, tillites, and dropstones found worldwide. The erosion of a large volcanic province in what is now Canada also played a crucial role by consuming atmospheric CO₂, further contributing to the cooling effect.

The Marinoan Snowball Earth Glaciation

The Marinoan glaciation began around 650 million years ago and ended approximately 635 million years ago. It is considered one of the most severe glaciations in Earth's history. Evidence includes diamictites, dropstones, and glacial striations found worldwide. The end of the Marinoan glaciation is thought to have been caused by volcanic activity, which released large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, leading to a greenhouse effect that warmed the planet. This glaciation likely created harsh conditions for life but also set the stage for significant evolutionary changes, closely followed by the Ediacaran period, which saw the emergence of complex multicellular life.

These glaciations profoundly impacted Earth's climate and the evolution of life, potentially setting the stage for the Cambrian explosion of complex multicellular organisms. The exact mechanisms that led to the evolution of complex life remain unknown, but environmental and geological processes during these extreme Snowball Earth occurrences likely played a role.

About This Specimen

Cap carbonates have been integral to the Snowball Earth theory since the '90s. These layered, laminated carbonate rocks, typically limestone or dolostone, are found on top of tillites from glaciation, appearing like a "cap" over them. This specimen was recovered from the glacial till of the Espanola Formation, part of the Huronian Supergroup in Canada, dating from 2400 to 2100 million years ago. It represents the most intense and oldest ice age, the first "Snowball Earth."

Specimen Details

Size: 55mm L x 51mm W x 14mm D
Weight: 78.2g
Pictures: Shown front, back, and sides

What's Included

Certificate of Authenticity, tag, tag stand, and information about the specimen. Acrylic base and cube are not included. Snowball Earth information is included. 

Snowball Earth Extreme Climate Change Specimen Opportunity

If you have been looking for an epic specimen from one of Earth's most extreme environments, look no further. No other event depicts the extremes of climate change more than Snowball Earth. This is a unique opportunity to obtain a scarce and fascinating specimen from one of Earth's major geological events.

This scientific material is Guaranteed Authentic. It was professionally and legally collected and arrives with a Certificate of Authenticity.