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News Release 14-081
Ancient ocean currents may have changed pace and intensity of ice ages
Slowing of currents may have flipped switch
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About 950,000 years ago, North Atlantic currents, Northern Hemisphere ice sheets underwent changes.
Credit: NASA
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Ocean currents slowed 950,000 years ago, triggering colder but less frequent ice ages.
Credit: Leo Pena
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Scientists (pictured: Leo Pena) analyzed fossil plankton shells to reconstruct ocean circulation.
Credit: Kim Martineau
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In an Ultra Clean Lab, neodymium isotopes in fossils were isolated and measured.
Credit: Leo Pena
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The scientific drillship JOIDES Resolution was used as a platform to collect deep-ocean sediment.
Credit: IODP
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Natural gas extracted from a deep shale formation by hydraulic fracturing (fracking) technology burns at a well in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Fracking is enabling a shale gas production boom, remaking energy markets and stoking environmental concerns. See page 1464.
Credit: Photo Copyright Les Stone - Corbis
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