Bottleneck in Human Population May be Due to Ozone-Destroying Volcano - The Cosmic Companion June 3, 2021
An ancient bottleneck in human population could be explained by an ancient volcano, and a whole lot of sulfur.
About 74,000 years ago, a massive volcanic eruption may have wiped out vast numbers of early humans.
An ancient volcanic eruption — and ensuing cloud of sulfur dioxide — may have caused a bottleneck in human population seen today in the human genetic code. Image credit: Taro Taylor/Editing by The Cosmic Companion and Richard Bartz
An ancient bottleneck in human population could be explained by an ancient volcano, and a whole lot of sulfur.
Reading the human genetic code reveals a bottleneck in human population took place between 100,000 and 60,000 years ago, suggesting our fledgling species suffered a massive loss of life at that time, significantly reducing human populations.
A new international study builds on earlier work, suggesting this ancient catastrophe may have been the result of a massive volcanic eruption, tearing apart the protective ozone layer surrounding the Earth. Early humans worldwide would have perished from famine and disease, potentially leading to the dip observed in human numbers during this time, researchers propose.
At the site now known as Lake Toba in Sumatra, Indonesia, a massive volcano may have, long ago, altered human history and biology forever. This idea provides evidence for the Toba Catastrophe Theory, suggesting the Toba volcano erupted as a supervolcanic eruption 74,000 years ago.
Read more: https://thecosmiccompanion.net/bottleneck-in-human-population-may-be-due-to-ozone-destroying-volcano
Upcoming guests on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion
June 8 (s4/e23): Dr. Bruce Betts, Chief Scientist and LightSail Program Manager for The Planetary Society telling us about efforts to protect Earth from dangerous objects. Plus, an inside look at the upcoming book, The Human Computer, Katherine Johnson's Story, from Alessandro Patruno, owner of Quaternion Books.
June 15 (s4/e24): Dr. Noah Petro, NASA’s Project Scientist for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), talking about returning to the Moon!
June 22 (s4/e25): ~just added~ Brittany Zimmerman, CEO of Yummet, on developing technology for space exploration and protecting the Earth.
Remember - VIP members see every episode of this show a day early! Plans start at just $5 a month - subscribe today!
For more details on space and astronomy news, please visit: thecosmiccompanion.net or thecosmiccompanion.com.
Thanks for reading, donating, and sharing!
- James