- Cap carbonate
Cap carbonates are layers of distinctively textured
carbonate rocks which typically form the uppermost layer ofsedimentary sequences reflecting major glaciations in the geological record.The rising temperatures, and increased oceanic surface area - due to reduced ice cover and rising sea levels - at the end of a glaciation increase the rate of precipitation.
High concentrations of
greenhouse gas ses such ascarbon dioxide (CO2) must build up in the atmosphere to overcome the effect of the high reflectivity (albedo ) of ice and allow temperatures to rise sufficiently to begin melting.Increased precipitation dissolves carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, falling as a weak
carbonic acid -acid rain .This would weather exposed
silicate and carbonate rock, including readily-attacked glacial debris, which would releasing large amounts of calcium. When washed into the ocean, these precipitate to form distinctively textured layers of carbonatesedimentary rock .A heavily debated cap carbonate appears at the top of the
Gaskiers Glaciation , believed by many to be global in extent."You may find [http://www.snowballearth.org/capcarbs.html this link] helpful"
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