A team of researchers led by Academician Jin Zhijun from the Institute of Energy at Peking University has released their results recently with the following major findings. They investigated the relationships between Earth’s internal processes and astronomical cycles during the Late Paleozoic Era, between 360 and 250 million years ago. That foundational research, now published in Nature Communications, goes a long way toward explaining how these forces combined to reshape the planet’s climate and carbon cycle.
The Late Paleozoic Era was a time of dramatic geological and climatic transformation. Earth’s climate and geography shifted dramatically when a second supercontinent formed Greenland-size glaciers that choked the tropics. The research team determined that tectonic activities—such as volcanic eruptions and mountain building—played a major role in climate fluctuations throughout this span. These geological processes operated in concert with astronomical cycles, such as changes in the shape of Earth’s orbit (eccentricity) and axial tilt (obliquity).
Tectonic Activity and Climate Events
The research shines a new light on three significant tectonic phases that defined the Late Paleozoic Era. Utilizing plate reconstructions, geochemical data, and carbon cycle modeling, the researchers identified periods of enhanced tectonic activity occurring around 360 to 330 million years ago (Ma) and 280 to 250 Ma. Throughout these times, sea level was likely extremely low due to rapid charcoal ridge and subduction zone expansion, strong volcanism, and overall climate instability.
So during these active phases, the researchers were able to observe a direct relationship between tectonic activities and climate change. These competing geological forces led to seasonal variation in temperature and rainfall, creating the biodiversity rich habitat that first attracted dinosaurs of all stripes.
“Tectonic-astronomical interactions in shaping Late Paleozoic climate and organic carbon burial” – Academician Jin Zhijun and team.
Astronomical Cycles’ Role in Climate Dynamics
Besides these tectonic influences, the study, which is first-authored by Sandrine S. C. Blais’stace, highlights the importance of astronomical cycles. Earth’s orbital eccentricity, tilt, and precession played a major role in climate changes in these transition times, particularly during the Late Paleozoic Era. These cycles produced significant changes in how much solar radiation was reaching Earth’s surface. In turn, global temperatures and precipitation patterns were impacted.
The study shows how these astronomical changes operated in concert with tectonic forces. Together, they laid the foundation for a complicated mix that would alter the climate. This radical interaction affected short-term climate policy. It influenced the legacy of carbon cycling and organic matter accumulation.
Implications for Fossil Fuel Formation
These results have significant ramifications in our understanding of how geological processes controlled the distribution of fossil fuels. These fossil fuels are key ingredients to our modern life. This era saw the beginning of massive deposits of coal. These deposits were the result of environmental and tectonic changes that took place during that era. It was during this geologic time frame that the conditions were right to let organic matter build up. Those materials then, over eons of time, changed into fossil fuels.
As the researchers pointed out, there was a long intervening phase of tectonic tranquility during 330 to 280 Ma. These conditions led to the largest drops in atmospheric CO₂ ever recorded, milder summer temperatures, and more stable climates—which together helped preserve and accumulate organic matter.