We know that greenhouse warming due to methane hydrate melting has occurred several times in Earth's history because there is isotopically __________ in sedimentary materials at these levels.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Isotopically light carbon is found in sedimentary materials at levels where greenhouse warming due to methane hydrate melting has occurred. This is due to the fact that methane is made up of carbon and hydrogen, and the carbon in methane is isotopically light. When methane is released into the atmosphere due to melting of methane hydrates, it oxidizes to form carbon dioxide, and the isotopically light carbon from methane is incorporated into the carbon dioxide. This can then be recorded in sedimentary materials as isotopically light carbon.

We Know That Greenhouse Warming Due to Methane Hydrate Melting