The Earth goes through different cycles of climate change. These changes include following adjustments in its orbit and other Geological factors. To the knowledge of scientists, the Earth has gone through several ice ages already. This phenomenon is a long period of reduction in the temperature of the surface and atmosphere of the Earth. This glaciation results in the spread of continental ice sheets and the polar ice sheets as well.
About 2.58 million years ago, the earth started undergoing an alternating series of the glacial and interglacial period. Currently, the Earth is in its quaternary glaciation.
Dr. Jerome Chappellaz, a former National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scientist, is using data on Antarctica in his study to further understand the future of the planet.
This study was initially featured in Amazon Prime's "Steps to the Future" in 2010. In the documentary, it was revealed that researchers from the Grenoble Glaciology Laboratory have precious archives of data that were taken during the Arctic and Antarctic expeditions.
Dr. Chappellaz explained the simple concept where the researchers dig deeper into the ice to get data from the past.
They used a drill into that is equipped with a knife which drills into the ice and the shavings are excavated by an endless screw.
Drilling for ice at 3,000 meters into the ground, the team has an earthed data dating back to over 250,000 years in the past.
In his study, Dr. Chappellaz warned about the possible occurrence of the next Ice Age. According to his research, the Ice Age could spread.
The lead researcher has stated that according to this analysis, another Ice Age should be expected to happen in about 40,000 to 60,000 years in the future.
Other details about the future ice age include the whole northern hemisphere being covered in ice. He further explained that there will be two kilometers of ice on Canada and the alpine glaciers are expected to spread to Lyon. He further stated that people will be able to walk from England to France.
In the documentary, he cited Saturn and Jupiter to be the main culprit for the impending ice age. He added that the two planets mentioned are so big in size that their mass periodically deforms the orbit of the Earth, making it more elliptic. This puts the Earth in a farther distance away from the sun, therefore, the energy that the planet receives would be lessened.
The scientist further explained that if the Earth would have snowfall while it is farther away from the sun there needs to be enough energy during the summer to make the snow melt. However, if the heat is not strong enough to snow will stay on and form a glacier.
