Mars is causing 'giant whirlpools': New research published

Scientists have analyzed sediment samples collected from hundreds of deep-sea sites over the past half-century to shed light on Earth's tens of millions of years of history, with the aim of better understanding the strength of deep ocean currents. According to the findings, giant whirlpools forming in the oceans are moving under the influence of Mars.

According to the research published on Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications, the examined sediments revealed that deep-sea currents have weakened and strengthened over a 2.4-million-year climate cycle.

Sedimentologist Adriana Dutkiewicz, one of the co-authors of the study, said that scientists did not expect to discover this cycle of strengthening and weakening of these giant whirlpools and that there was only one way to explain them: "These are linked to cycles influenced by Mars and Earth's orbit around the Sun.”

The authors say this is the first study to establish these connections.

Earth and Mars influence each other through a phenomenon called 'resonance'; this is a term used to describe the gravitational push and pull that two orbiting bodies exert on each other.

The research revealed that for Earth, this interaction with Mars means periods of increased solar energy (which implies a warmer climate), and that these warm cycles are associated with stronger ocean currents.

MILLIONS-OF-YEARS-OLD CYCLES DISCOVERED

Geophysics professor Dietmar Müller, another author of the study, said that although these 2.4-million-year cycles affect warming and ocean currents on Earth, they are natural climate cycles and are not linked to the rapid warming the world is experiencing today as humans continue to burn planet-warming fossil fuels.

The authors describe these currents as "giant whirlpools" that can reach the bottom of the deep ocean, erode the seafloor, and cause large sediment accumulations like snowdrifts.

Scientists were able to map these powerful whirlpools by observing "breaks" in the sediment cores they analyzed. Deep-sea sediments form in continuous layers when conditions are calm, but strong ocean currents disrupt this pattern, leaving a visible trace of their presence.

Since satellite data that can visibly map changes in ocean circulation has only been available for a few decades, sediment cores that help build a picture of the past going back millions of years are very useful for understanding circulation changes in a warmer climate.

Müller said the following regarding what might happen if today's human-induced warming continues on its current course:

“This effect will overshadow all other processes over a long period of time. However, the geological record still provides us with valuable insights into how oceans function in a warmer world.”