Skip to main content
Earth sciences

Earth sciences

Ancient lull in Earth’s magnetic field may have allowed large animals to evolve

18 May 2024 Isabelle Dumé
Artist's rendition of the Ediacaran period showing a shallow ocean containing large but still cell-like organisms, under skies bright with aurorae
Ancient Earth: Artist's rendition of what our planet might have looked like in the Ediacaran Period based on the researchers’ hypothesis, which connects a weak planetary magnetic field (evidenced by powerful aurorae) with an increase in the size and complexity of organisms. (Courtesy: Michael Osadciw/University of Rochester)
The list of conditions required for complex life to emerge on Earth is contentious, poorly understoo

You’ve reached the limit of what you can view on Physics World without registering

If you already have an account on Physics World, then please sign in to continue reading

If you do not yet have an account, please register so you can

  • Access more than 20 years of online content
  • Choose which e-mail newsletters you would like to receive
Copyright © 2024 by IOP Publishing Ltd and individual contributors