# Snowball Earth salt albedo feedback theory > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/snowball-earth-salt-albedo-feedback-theory > Updated: 2026-09-08T21:14:39.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. Researchers have proposed a mechanism to explain the intensification of the ‘Snowball Earth’ period, which occurred approximately 750 to 580 million years ago. Studies led by scientists at The Arctic University of Norway (University of Tromsø) suggest that salt crystallization and accumulation on sea ice created a ‘salt albedo feedback’ loop. As seawater freezes or through sublimation, salt is expelled and forms crusts on the ice surface. These salt crystals act as a highly reflective powder, reaching an albedo of approximately 93%. This reflectivity is significantly higher than that of pure snow (83%) or bare sea ice (67%), meaning more sunlight is reflected into space, which further lowers temperatures and accelerates ice formation toward the equator. The eventual end of these deep freeze periods is attributed to volcanic activity releasing CO2, creating a greenhouse effect strong enough to overcome the high reflectivity of the ice. While Earth currently experiences natural glacial cycles driven by Milankovitch cycles, researchers note that atmospheric changes, such as human-induced CO2 emissions, may influence the timing of future glaciations. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-08: Snowball Earth theory: Salt deposits may have intensified ancient glaciations Scientists propose that salt deposits on sea ice intensified prehistoric ‘Snowball Earth’ glaciations by increasing solar reflectivity, while human CO2 emissions may influence future glacial cycles. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/snowball-earth-theory-salt-deposits-may-have-intensified-ancient-glaciations ### 2026-09-03: Salt crystallization may have accelerated Snowball Earth freezing Scientists have discovered that salt crystallization on ice surfaces may have accelerated the ‘Snowball Earth’ freeze by creating a high-reflectivity feedback loop that pushed the planet toward extreme cooling. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/salt-crystallization-may-have-accelerated-snowball-earth-freezing --- Cite as: Snowball Earth salt albedo feedback theory. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/snowball-earth-salt-albedo-feedback-theory