‘Supermountains’ Buried Under Antarctica Fueled Explosion of Life, Scientists Discover
Some 600 million years ago, the supercontinent Gondwana produced a colossal mountain range that helped set the stage for all modern complex life, according to a new examination of tiny ancient rocks.
Scientists have discovered that primordial supermountains once buried under Antarctica fueled the explosion of life, specifically the Cambrian period when complex life emerged. The research, led by Bei Chen and Ian H. Campbell of the Australian National University, analyzed 1,700 zircons found in Antarctica, which date from 650 to 450 million years ago.
The findings indicate a significant spike in zircon ages during this crucial time, suggesting the presence of Gondwana supermountains and their associated submarine "fan" systems. These geological structures provided the necessary nutrients for the rapid rise of animals and other complex life during the Cambrian, leading to the formation of the diverse life forms we know today.
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