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q |
During active plate tectonic processes, carbon
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cycles constantly between Earth’s interior and its
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surface.
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q |
The carbon moves from deep rock reservoirs to
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the surface mainly as CO2 gas associated with
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volcanic activity along the margins of Earth’s
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tectonic plates.
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q |
The centerpiece of the seafloor spreading
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hypothesis is the concept that changes in the rate
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of seafloor spreading over millions of years
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control the rate of delivery of CO2 to the
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atmosphere from the large rock reservoir of
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carbon, with the resulting changes in atmospheric
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CO2 concentrations controlling Earth’s
climate.
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