Question

Geological evidence points to a history of extended ice ages in Earth's history. How did Earth recover from this snowball phase?

A. Life vanished, leading to an increase in CO2, and increased global warming, eventually melting the ice.
B. As the Sun aged, it grew brighter and increased Earth's temperature, melting the ice.
C. Volcanoes continued to inject CO2 into Earth's atmosphere, increasing the greenhouse effect to the point where ice melted.
D. Plate tectonics gradually subducted all the ice below Earth's surface.
E. The increased ice coverage on Earth's surface absorbed more sunlight than water and rocks, thus gradually heating Earth until the ice melted.

Answer 1

Volcanic activity and an increase in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere caused by volcanic activity led to a greenhouse effect, trapping more heat on Earth's surface and eventually melting the ice during the snowball phase.

Step-by-step explanation:

The recovery from the snowball phase, or the extended ice ages in Earth's history, was primarily a result of volcanic activity and changes in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. The increase in carbon dioxide led to a greenhouse effect, which trapped more heat on Earth's surface and caused the climate to become warmer. This increase in temperature eventually melted the ice and brought Earth out of the snowball phase.

Option C, Volcanoes continued to inject CO into Earth's atmosphere, increasing the greenhouse effect to the point where ice melted, is the most accurate answer. Volcanic activity released carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which increased the greenhouse effect and raised Earth's temperature. This process gradually melted the ice and brought Earth out of the snowball phase.

It's important to note that while the other options may have some impact on Earth's climate, volcanic activity and the resulting increase in carbon dioxide were the primary factors responsible for Earth's recovery from the snowball phase.