Articles will be added as they are published
Published articles will be linked here through the AJS article platform.
About this Collection
This collection marks a major milestone in the development and broader acceptance of the Snowball Earth hypothesis, articulated in its modern form more than 25 years ago by Paul Hoffman and colleagues.
The basic outline of the hypothesis is that, twice during the Cryogenian Period (717–635 Ma), ice extended to equatorial latitudes for millions of years. In this view, atmospheric CO2 built up to high levels, eventually triggering rapid deglaciation and extreme greenhouse conditions.
The Cryogenian Period also encompasses major geochemical and mineralogical anomalies, likely fluctuations in ocean redox, and the first appearance of animals in the geological record. This Special Collection brings together contributions addressing outstanding questions in climate modeling, geochemistry, geobiology, stratigraphy, and sedimentology.
Editorial Team
Lead Editor: Francis A. Macdonald
Guest Associate Editors: Galen Halverson, Yanan Shen
Editorial handling for individual submissions may vary as needed to ensure appropriate expertise and to manage actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
Published Articles
Articles in this collection will be published on a rolling basis as they complete peer review and production
Submission Information
Manuscripts for this collection should be submitted through the AJS submission system. In the cover letter, please indicate that the submission is intended for the Special Collection: Snowball Earth.
Full manuscripts are expected by July 1, 2026. Articles will be released as they complete the standard AJS peer-review and production process, with the intent to complete publication by the end of 2026.
Standard AJS editorial, peer-review, and publication charge policies apply, including excess fees for manuscripts exceeding the journal’s standard publication unit limits.
Collection Notes
- Collection title for cover letters: Special Collection: Snowball Earth
- Full manuscript target date: July 1, 2026
- Articles will be added to this page as they are published
AJS publishes most articles without publication charges within standard publication limits. Excess publication unit fees apply only when manuscripts exceed those limits.
Editorial Process
All submissions to this Special Collection will undergo the standard AJS peer-review process. The Editors recognize the importance of managing actual and perceived conflicts of interest, especially where former students, collaborators, or co-authors may be involved.
When needed, editorial handling will be adjusted to maintain appropriate independence and ensure that each manuscript is evaluated by editors and reviewers with suitable expertise.
Questions
For questions about the Snowball Earth Special Collection, please contact the editorial office.