Snowball Earth Rock Specimen -Huronian Glaciation

Probably no other event depicts the extremes of climate change more than a Snowball Earth. The Snowball Earth theory was originally based on paleomagnetic studies from around the world. It was thought that the entirety of the Earth was frozen over from pole to pole, all the way solid to the equator. The indications for a Snowball Earth were that tropical glacial deposits have been found in equatorial paleoaltitudes along with "dropstones" carried by glaciers.

There has been some debate about whether the Earth was entirely locked in ice or was something more akin to a "slush-ball." There has been no definitive decision as to how "locked" the Earth was in ice, but the theory hasn't been excluded and was first merited the label "Snowball Earth" by Caltech geophysicist Joe Kirschvink, in a 1992 research paper.

Cap carbonates have been figuring into the Snowball Earth theory since the '90's. These layered, laminated carbonate rocks are typically made of either limestone or dolostone. Cap carbonates are found on top of tillites from glaciation and appear like a "cap" over them, hence the name. These special rocks have been found worldwide coinciding with glacial intervals, which has helped them contribute to the Snowball Earth theory.

This specimen was recovered in the glacial till from the Espanola Formation which is a part of the Huronian Supergroup of Canada, and is dated to a period from 2400 mya - 2100 mya. The Huronian glaciation is considered to be the most intense and oldest ice age on Earth.  The Huronian glaciation was actually a combination of several glaciations, occurring almost in succession.

Capstone carbonates were found in the deposits from the Huronian glaciation time frame. This specimen came from Ontario, Canada, and is from the first oldest ice age, the Huronian Ice Age. Some scientists believe that since some glacial till and cap carbonates are found together, along with other worldwide data, that the Earth was mostly if not entirely covered in ice for the first time during the Huronian glaciation period.

Specimen size: 70mm L X 33mm W X 33mm D, Weight: 67.2 grams; The picture with the tag shows the back of this specimen.

Ships in a perky protective case with information, tag, tag stand and Certificate of Authenticity. Acrylic base and cube not included. Detailed information about the other snowball Earth glaciation events included!

This is a very unique opportunity to obtain an extremely rare and interesting specimen from one of Earth's major geological events. 

Legally obtained in a materials trade with a scientific institution.