If another advanced civilization lived on Earth before us, would we know?
Scientists are exploring the 'Silurian hypothesis,' a thought experiment questioning whether an advanced civilization could have existed on Earth millions of years ago without leaving obvious traces. The study examines how climate change and energy usage might leave geological markers that could help us understand the longevity of our own civilization.
Why it matters
This research provides a unique perspective on the sustainability of advanced civilizations and the potential long-term impact of human-induced climate change.
The fossilized tail bones of an Ichthyosaurus, around 190 million years old and weighing 800 kilograms. - Markus Scholz/picture alliance via Getty Images When astrobiologist Adam Frank walked into the office of NASA scientist Gavin Schmidt, he had what he believed was the weirdest question: do aliens experience climate change? It took just moments for Schmidt to out-weird him.
Frank, a University of Rochester professor who looks for signs of life in the universe, was digging into whether advanced civilizations would inevitably trigger climate shifts, just as humans are doing now . He was looking at other planets, he told Schmidt that day back in 2017, "because, of course, we know that there have been no other civilizations on Earth."
Schmidt immediately cut him off. "How do you know that?" he asked.
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