Editing Rodinia (section)

==Influence on paleoclimate and life==
Unlike later supercontinents, Rodinia was entirely barren. It existed before [[multicellular organism|complex life]] colonized on dry land. Based on [[sedimentary rock]] analysis, Rodinia's formation happened when the [[ozone layer]] was not as extensive as it is now. Ultraviolet light discouraged organisms from inhabiting its interior. Nevertheless, its existence significantly influenced the marine life of its time.

In the [[Cryogenian]], Earth experienced large [[glaciation]]s, and temperatures were at least as cool as today. Substantial parts of Rodinia may have been covered by glaciers or the southern [[polar ice cap]]. Low temperatures may have been exaggerated during the early stages of continental rifting. [[Geothermal heating]] peaks in crust about to be rifted, and since warmer rocks are less dense, the crustal rocks rise up relative to their surroundings. This rising creates areas of higher altitude where the air is cooler and ice is less likely to melt with changes in season, and it may explain the evidence of abundant glaciation in the Ediacaran.<ref name="mcmenamin" />

The rifting of the continents created new oceans and [[seafloor spreading]], which produces warmer, less dense [[oceanic crust]]. Lower-density, hot oceanic crust will not lie as deep as older, cool oceanic lithosphere. In periods with relatively large areas of new lithosphere, the ocean floors come up, causing the sea level to rise. The result was a greater number of shallower seas.

The increased evaporation from the oceans' larger water area may have increased rainfall, which in turn increased the [[weathering]] of exposed rock. By inputting data on [[Δ18O|the ratio of stable isotopes <sup>18</sup>O:<sup>16</sup>O]]{{Failed verification|date=January 2016}} into computer models, it has been shown that in conjunction with quick weathering of [[volcanic rock]], the increased rainfall may have reduced [[greenhouse gas]] levels to below the threshold required to trigger the period of extreme glaciation known as [[Snowball Earth]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Donnadieu|Goddéris|Ramstein|Nédélec|2004|loc=}}{{Page needed|date=January 2016}}</ref> Increased volcanic activity also introduced into the marine environment biologically active nutrients, which may have played an important role in the earliest animals' development.