Snowball Earth

Snowball Earth refers to a hypothesized period in Earth's history, around 700 million years ago, when the planet was almost entirely covered in ice, from the poles to the equator. This event is believed to have occurred during the Precambrian Era, significantly impacting the climate, ocean circulation, and life. The extreme glaciation likely caused ecological stress, but it also set the stage for the emergence of complex life forms once the ice melted. Theories suggest a combination of factors, including volcanic activity and changes in solar radiation, triggered this global ice age and its eventual end.