b3ta.com links
You are not logged in. Login or Signup
Home » links » Link 1560823 | Random

This is a link post Unnecessary detail
Audio.
Almost all of the coal in the entire world was made during the carboniferous period. 60 million years - a blink of the eye, in terms of Earth history.

Why? 'coz before trees, it was mostly grass short-arse plants [Edited]. One plant figured out how to make lignum - which is trunks and branches and stuff. The bacteria and fungi didn't know how to eat it, so dead trees lay for long enough to fossilise.

60 mill years later, the detritivores figured out how to eat it.

If you find this kind of thing interesting, you'll enjoy Matt Parker. If you don't, fair enough - this is an incredibly geeky rabbithole.


(, Fri 19 Feb 2021, 19:41, , Reply)
This is a normal post That looks rather cool
The book is now on my shopping list - cheers!
I can't believe I've never seen the "double domino" effect before.
youtu.be/EYkBctqyKic
(, Sat 20 Feb 2021, 7:47, , Reply)
This is a normal post Trees evolved from ferns.
300 million years ago. Grasses didn't arise until about 55 million years ago.
(, Sat 20 Feb 2021, 11:25, , Reply)
This is a normal post
Fair point, thanks.
I think it might've arisen about 100 mya or so though.[1]

Still, way after the carboniferous, sure.
(, Sat 20 Feb 2021, 11:55, , Reply)
This is a normal post Great book!
Loved it and his YouTube channel is pretty fine also.
(, Sat 20 Feb 2021, 16:34, , Reply)
This is a normal post
Welcome to the rabbit-hole.
24 Hour Maths Magic Show - Part 1
(, Sat 20 Feb 2021, 19:23, , Reply)