Marinoan glaciation
Proterozoic snowball periods | ||||||
−750 — – −725 — – −700 — – −675 — – −650 — – −625 — – −600 — – −575 — – −550 — – −525 — | ||||||
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The Marinoan glaciation, sometimes also known as the Varanger glaciation, was a period of worldwide glaciation. Its beginning is poorly constrained, but occurred no earlier than 654.5 Ma (million years ago). It ended approximately 632.3 ± 5.9 Ma during the Cryogenian period. This glaciation possibly covered the entire planet, in an event called the Snowball Earth. The end of the glaciation was caused by volcanic release of carbon dioxide and dissolution of gas hydrates and may have been hastened by the release of methane from equatorial permafrost.