BLEAK. --- 600 million years from now: The Suns increasing luminosity begins to disrupt the carbonate–silicate cycle; higher luminosity increases weathering of surface rocks, which traps carbon dioxide in the ground as carbonate. As water evaporates from the Earths surface, rocks harden, causing plate tectonics to slow and eventually stop. Without volcanoes to recycle carbon into the Earths atmosphere, carbon dioxide levels begin to fall.[38] By this time, they will fall to the point at which C3 photosynthesis is no longer possible. All plants that utilize C3 photosynthesis (~99 percent of present-day species) will die.[39] 800 million: Carbon dioxide levels fall to the point at which C4 photosynthesis is no longer possible.[39] Free oxygen and ozone disappear from the atmosphere. Multicellular life dies out.[40] 1 billion: The Suns luminosity has increased by 10 percent, causing Earths surface temperatures to reach an average of ~320 K(47 °C, 116 °F). The atmosphere will become a moist greenhouse, resulting in a runaway evaporation of the oceans.[41]Pockets of water may still be present at the poles, allowing abodes for simple life.[42][43] 1.3 billion: Eukaryotic life dies out due to carbon dioxide starvation. Only prokaryotes remain.[40] 2.3 billion: The Earths outer core freezes, if the inner core continues to grow at its current rate of 1 mm per year.[44][45] Without its liquid outer core, the Earths magnetic field shuts down,[46] and charged particles emanating from the Sun gradually deplete the atmosphere.[47] 3:25 2.8 billion: Earths surface temperature, even at the poles, reaches an average of ~420 K (147 °C, 296 °F). At this point life, now reduced to unicellular colonies in isolated, scattered microenvironments such as high-altitude lakes or subsurface caves, will completely die out.[38][48][d] 3.5 billion: Earths surface temperature, even at the poles, reaches an average of ~420 K (147 °C, 296 °F). At this point life, now reduced to unicellular colonies in isolated, scattered microenvironments such as high-altitude lakes or subsurface caves, will completely die out.[38][48][d] 7.59 billion: The Earth and Moon are very likely destroyed by falling into the Sun, just before the Sun reaches the tip of its red giant phase and its maximum radius of 256 times the present day value.[51][e] Before the final collision, the Moon possibly spirals below Earths Roche limit, breaking into a ring of debris, most of which falls to the Earths surface.[52]
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 21:29:47 +0000
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