Earth's Climate Cycles Through Five Mega-States Over 539 Million Years

September 23, 2026

New research reveals Earth has cycled through five distinct climate states over 539 million years.

The study, led by an international team including University of New Mexico paleobiologist Cori Myers, shows that these mega-climate states are not random but recur with a pattern. Periods of elevated extinction rates, including the five major mass extinctions in Earth's history, often coincide with transitions between these climate states.

This means that as Earth moves from one climate state to another, it experiences higher risks of species dying out on a massive scale.

The long-term vulnerability is clear: future climate shifts could trigger similar extinction spikes, threatening biodiversity and ecological balance.

What is the long-term climate outlook for this region?

Understanding these mega-climate states can help predict potential periods of heightened extinction risk. This knowledge is crucial for conservation efforts and managing ecosystems to withstand future transitions. However, the exact timing and triggers of such shifts remain uncertain.

The outlook is cautiously optimistic but underscores the need for proactive measures.

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Earth shifted among five 'mega-climate' states over 539 million years, with extinctions spiking near transitions

Earth's climate has undergone dramatic changes throughout its history, but new research suggests those changes may not have been as random as previously thought. A study led by an international team of researchers, including University of New Mexico paleobiologist Corinne "Cori" Myers, found that Earth's climate over the past 539 million years tended to remain within a small number of recurring climate states. The research also found that periods of elevated extinction, including the five major mass extinction events in Earth's history, frequently occurred as the planet transitioned between those states.

phys.org