Volcanic outgassing released tremendous amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere during the Cryogenian Period. Most climatologists suggest that this added carbon dioxide trapped heat near Earth’s surface. The warming air then caused ice sheets to retreat, ending each glacial episode. Some studies suggest that carbon dioxide during the Marinoan glaciation may have risen to as much as 350 times present-day levels. Intense volcanism and tectonic activity continued throughout the period. Atmospheric oxygen levels also increased, after tectonic activity connected with the continued breakup of Rodinia released large amounts of phosphorus into the oceans which facilitated the growth of photosynthetic organisms in the oceans and, subsequently, the production of oxygen.
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