Could the mid-ocean rift zones lava flows be the major cause of global warming?

Answer 1

According to geological studies by real scientist, global warming is a natural cycle that takes place every so many thousands of years. We are actually overdue on a geological scale. An ice age follows because the melting of the polar icecaps cause the jet streams in the ocean to shut down.

Answer 2

No. The lava in mid-ocean rift zones is cooled and forms new oceanic crust. Mid-ocean rift zones have always been a part of the Earth. The old crust is then destroyed at the subduction zones that are located at the continental shelfs. This is why the Earth does not grow in size, even though new crust is continually being formed.

The Red Sea is a rift zone that is currently quite small, and will eventually (think millions of years here) be an ocean much like the Atlantic Ocean is currently.

Answer 3

No - I have a Master's Degree in Environmental Science, but we started studying the greenhouse effect in 5th grade - school science class. The reflecive properties of the carbon dioxide molecule is a basic physical principle that has been disputed only by those with vested interest in the status quo.

There is even an established equation of the earth's energy balance that we studied in graduate school. Volcanic activity actually cools the earth because very small ash particles can rise into the stratosphere - miles into the air from a very large eruption and be transported globally and persist in lower temperatures for years.

Recently enrgy balance per earth surface, deep ice cored going back 100,000 years with historic CO2 concentrations and temperature correlations and the modeling of supercomputers have added more - nearly irrefutable evidence to the arguement for CO2 - man made as a result of burning fossil fuels as being the most important effect.

The jury is out no more...and really has never been...we must act now, but it won't be easy.

Answer 4

The core of the Earth has not gotten any cooler, and the gaps in the crust have not gotten any wider so no. Many people will try to point out that the Earth's temperature has fluctuated before. What they won't mention is that temperature rise has never happened so quickly and the greenhouse gases humans are creating are far more than even a catestrophic volcanoe eruption could muster. This IS a unique and dangerous situation. The nitrogen cycle is off, the carbon cycle is off, heck- even the water cycle is off. It's time to stop hoping that we are not to blame and take some responsiblity.
Be Green.

Answer 5

It is a interesting question. Scientists once speculated that these heat sources were contributing to the thermohaline circulation. It has been shown that the amount of heat introduce by these sources is not a significant contributor.

The heat source for global temperature is the Sun, and the changes in temperature over long time periods depends on the atmosphere and ocean coupled system. You can expect changes in the global climate with changes in thermohaline circulation, so your question is not of base. But as a source of heat or moderator of the deep ocean circulation, they are not a factor.

Answer 6

No. But they provide geothermal energy. The rift zones don't expell enough lava for the global temperature to rise.

Answer 7

As much as I would like to say "yea.... that makes sence", 'cause of my work, I simply cannot. No, the mid-atlantic rift has nothing to do with global warming. But please, keep the theories coming. I would really hate for all of us to realize that burning fossil fuels with impunity could have a adverse effect on the environment.

Answer 8

No.My theory holds that this global warming is a natural phenomonom,but is being acclerated from human activity.

Answer 9

probably not, as these have been there forever and the Earth has only been heating up recently. Also the gases released from them would be absorbed by the ocean.

Answer 10

no, I don't know much about global warming but I can tell you that is not one of the causes