The effects of past variations of the Earth's rotation rate on climate

Auteur :
HUNT, B. G.

Description :
Palaeological evidence indicates that the rotation rate of the Earth during the late Precambrian was 2-2.5 times faster than now. Typically high rotation rate in a fluid system reduces the characteristic size of dynamic features, their associated transport processes and the overall intensity of the motions. The climatic consequences of the high rotation rate during the Precambrian are outlined. In particular, it is hypothesised that variations in the rotation rate imposed an important, and possibly dominant, effect on the genesis and termination of the Precambrian ice age. Other possible implications of the high rotation rate to oceanography, life forms and geology are briefly noted.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Nature London, 1979, vol. 281, n°. 5728, p. 188-191, Références bibliographiques : 25 réf.

Date :
1979