2007-09-01 21:30:19 · 2 answers · asked by james m 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Global warming is directly a part of geologic change. Some scientists have shown global warming is a direct result of erosion on the slopes of the Himalaya. They actually took many water samples from streams and calculated this affect. Limestone exposed by the upward thrust of the Himalayas is acted upon by rainwater releasing many times the carbon footprint of mankind in CO2. The Indian sub-continent is sliding into the Asia continent creating the upward thrust of this huge mountain range. (see tectonic drift) There was a Nova show on PBS a few years back about this but I cannot now find the name of that show.
Limestone and dolomite deposits exposed to weathering and erosion return carbon dioxide to the atmosphere and contribute to global warming.
Thankfully this ended the ice ages, or the earth would indeed be a bleak place for life. I think we humans may be egotistical thinking we are so significant in great scheme of things that we can change global warming.
2007-09-01 21:48:48 · answer #1 · answered by Long Tooth 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just a natural cycle of global temperature swings since the last mini ice age of 4-600 years ago. Nothing to worry about.
2007-09-02 14:34:41 · answer #2 · answered by paul h 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋