New Research Questions Ancient Global Carbon-Cycle Event

Caltech scientists have published research in Geology challenging the theory that a unique carbon-isotope signal in ancient rocks, known as the Shunga–Francevillian event, indicates a global carbon-cycle change 2 billion years ago. Their study, based on drill cores from Karelia, Russia, suggests this signal might stem from local sedimentary basin phenomena rather than a worldwide environmental shift. This re-evaluation could alter understanding of Earth's ancient climate history.