The effect of atmospheric pressure on Snowball Earth deglaciation

Abstract

The most common explanation for the escape from a Snowball Earth state involves, among other factors, a strong greenhouse effect caused by a large partial pressure of CO2. This leads to an increase in surface pressure, which most models do not account for. With a higher surface pressure, pressure broadening increases, and convection reaches a deeper layer, both of which result in higher surface temperatures. The latter mechanism, which has not previously been reported, is found to be a greater source of warming than pressure broadening in the normal range of CO2 partial pressures at the point of deglaciation.