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News Release 14-081
Ancient ocean currents may have changed pace and intensity of ice ages
Slowing of currents may have flipped switch
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![earth seen from outer space showing the North Atlantic currents](/news/mmg/media/images/img6_f.jpg)
About 950,000 years ago, North Atlantic currents, Northern Hemisphere ice sheets underwent changes.
Credit: NASA
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![map of the world showing the route of the great ocean conveyor currents](/news/mmg/media/images/image003_f_ed34fb5c-76bd-4e8a-ae83-db1654b198f2.jpg)
Ocean currents slowed 950,000 years ago, triggering colder but less frequent ice ages.
Credit: Leo Pena
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![Scientist Leo Pena analyzes fossil plankton shells on a computer to reconstruct ocean circulation.](/news/mmg/media/images/image001_f.jpg)
Scientists (pictured: Leo Pena) analyzed fossil plankton shells to reconstruct ocean circulation.
Credit: Kim Martineau
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![isolated neodymium isotopes from fossils](/news/mmg/media/images/image002_f.jpg)
In an Ultra Clean Lab, neodymium isotopes in fossils were isolated and measured.
Credit: Leo Pena
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![The scientific drillship JOIDES Resolution at sea](/news/mmg/media/images/img1_f.jpg)
The scientific drillship JOIDES Resolution was used as a platform to collect deep-ocean sediment.
Credit: IODP
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![Science cover](/news/mmg/media/images/140627HR_f.jpg)
Natural gas extracted from a deep shale formation by hydraulic fracturing (fracking) technology burns at a well in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Fracking is enabling a shale gas production boom, remaking energy markets and stoking environmental concerns. See page 1464.
Credit: Photo Copyright Les Stone - Corbis
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