The uplift–weathering hypothesis (Raymo & Ruddiman) proposes that tectonic uplift of mountain ranges accelerates physical erosion, continually exposing fresh, unweathered silicate minerals at the surface. Chemical weathering of these silicate minerals consumes atmospheric CO2, and since CO2 is a greenhouse gas, its removal from the atmosphere over geological timescales drives long-term cooling.
When tectonic uplift raises mountains, rapid erosion strips away weathered material and continually exposes fresh silicate rock to the atmosphere and rainfall. This fresh rock...
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