Tectonic Control of CO2 Input – The Seafloor Spreading Rate
Hypothesis
qDuring active plate tectonic processes, carbon
cycles constantly between Earth’s interior and its surface.
qThe carbon moves
from deep rock reservoirs to the surface mainly as CO2 gas associated
with volcanic activity along the margins of Earth’s tectonic plates.
qThe centerpiece of
the seafloor spreading hypothesis is the concept that changes in the
rate of seafloor spreading over millions of years control the rate of delivery
of CO2 to the atmosphere from the large rock
reservoir of carbon, with the resulting changes in atmospheric
CO2 concentrations controlling
Earth’s climate.
(from Earth’s Climate: Past and Future)