With the help of a new imaging
technique, seismic tomography, scientists are able to predict the
past of 250 million years ago, when dinosaurs were still alive. Using
this technique, researchers such as Douwe van der Meer (at Utrecht
University in the Netherlands) analyze earthquake waves moving
through the Earth and “scan” the Earth's interior, coming up with
images of sunken plate tectonics. The study of the movement of these
tectonic plates is important because when one slides under another,
it creates volcanic activity at the surface, which in turn melts
rocks and gives off carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. With the
information of history's carbon dioxide emissions from volcanoes,
scientists conclude that the CO2 levels were 5 times more
during the Jurassic era than they are today. Those emissions
contributed to the warm and humid climate in that period. We can now
use this knowledge to guide us toward a more accurate prediction of
how much climate change we may experience in the future.
NOS Themes:
- Science is based on evidence; advanced imaging techniques and equipment is used to generate quite accurate data.
- Role of skepticism; difficult to imagine the reconstruction of the climate about 250 million years ago.
- Role of motivation and curiosity; environmentalists and others are greatly concerned about the impact of global warming on Earth. This research could assist with handling future climate change.
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