Home Decade - Deep Carbon Cycle

The carbon cycle plays a crucial role in maintaining the Earth’s climate and supporting life by regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. While the short-term carbon cycle—think daily processes like photosynthesis—gets much of the attention, the deep carbon cycle unfolds over millions of years. This “deep” cycle describes the movement of carbon between the Earth’s mantle, surface, and atmosphere, affecting global climate patterns over geological timescales. Let’s dive into the deep carbon cycle and explore how it shapes the planet beneath our feet.

The deep carbon cycle refers to the processes through which carbon is stored and released deep within the Earth’s crust and mantle over millions to billions of years. This long-term carbon exchange involves geological phenomena like volcanic eruptions, plate tectonics, and the formation of fossil fuels. In contrast to the more familiar short-term carbon cycle, which occurs over days or years, the deep carbon cycle influences the climate on timescales spanning geological epochs.

The deep carbon cycle was an essential component of Earth’s system, governing long-term carbon storage and influencing climate patterns over geological time. Although its processes are slow and deliberate, human actions had introduced unprecedented disruptions by rapidly releasing stored carbon. Understanding and respecting the natural rhythms of the deep carbon cycle will be crucial in tackling climate change and ensuring a stable future for the planet.