Researchers at Vilnius University, led by Professor Andrey Spiridonov, have found that geological processes long considered chaotic actually follow distinct rhythms. Mass extinctions, climate catastrophes, and evolutionary leaps appear to repeat at regular intervals.
Analysis of the International Geochronological Chart and fossil records revealed that key events in Earth’s history are not evenly distributed, but form “packages” — dense time blocks followed by relatively calm periods.
The team applied the concept of multifractals, which describe repeating patterns at different scales. This approach revealed a hierarchical system connecting global catastrophes and geological events, where smaller phenomena overlay larger processes.
Spiridonov and colleagues introduced the concept of the “external time limit,” the minimum interval within which all key cycles of Earth occur. Their calculations estimate it at 500 million to 1 billion years.
This discovery not only improves our understanding of Earth’s past but also helps predict its future. If geological and climatic processes indeed follow recurring patterns, scientists could more accurately model climate changes and assess the risks of new extreme events.
