Biological implications of high-energy cosmic ray induced muon flux in the extragalactic shock model

Dimitra Atri; Adrian L. Melott

doi:10.1029/2011gl049027

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arXiv · 1108.0326

Biological implications of high-energy cosmic ray induced muon flux in the extragalactic shock model

Dimitra Atri·Adrian L. Melott

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Abstract

A ~ 62 My periodicity in fossil biodiversity has been observed in independent studies of paleontology databases over ~0.5Gy. The period and phase of this biodiversity cycle coincides with the oscillation of our solar system normal to the galactic disk with an amplitude ~70 parsecs and a period ~64 My. Our Galaxy is falling toward the Virgo cluster, forming a galactic shock at the north end of our galaxy due to this motion, capable of accelerating particles and exposing our galaxy's northern side to a higher flux of cosmic rays. These high-energy particles strike the Earth's atmosphere initiating extensive air showers, ionizing the atmosphere by producing charged secondary particles. Secondary particles such as muons produced as a result of nuclear interactions are able to reach the ground and enhance the biological radiation dose. Using a Monte Carlo simulation package CORSIKA, we compute the biological dose resulting from enhanced muon exposure from cosmic rays and discuss their implications for terrestrial biodiversity variations.

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Dimitra Atri, Adrian L. Melott. 2011-09-06. Biological implications of high-energy cosmic ray induced muon flux in the extragalactic shock model. https://doi.org/10.1029/2011gl049027

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