Vast mountain ranges that reached as high up as the Himalayas but were 3-4 times as long 'supercharged' the evolution of life on Earth some 2,000 million years ago.
This is the conclusion of Australian National University-led experts, who said these 'supermountains' leached essential nutrients, spurring on biological activity.
The researchers detected evidence in ancient river sediments of two 'huge spikes' in mountain building activity, coinciding with key developments in life's history.
These include the development of complex cells, 에볼루션카지노 the emergence of the first large animals and the establishment of the major animal groups.
The colossal mountain chains crossed entire supercontinents at 4,900 miles (8,000 km) long, compared to the Himalayas' span of just 1,500 miles (2,400 km).
Vast mountain ranges that reached as high up as the Himalayas (pictured) but were 3-4 times as long 'supercharged' the evolution of life on Earth some 2,000 million years ago
The second of the vast mountain ranges — the Transgondwanan Supermountain — was built during an event called the East African Orogeny (EAO) and coincided with the appearance of the first large animals around 575 millio
Pictured: a map showing the location of the EAO between the colliding West and East Gondwana some 650-500 million years ago