Snail shell can act a natural archive of weather and landscape changes

Snail shell can act a natural archive of weather and landscape changes Published on the 16th September 2026 by ANSTO StaffShare to FacebookShare to BlueskyShare to LinkedIn ANSTO has undertaken radiocarbon dating of a snail shell in research led by the University of Queensland, who were investigating if the environmental proxy could provide information about past climate and environmental conditions in Southeast Queensland.  Eight small samples from different parts of a Biggenden banded snail shell were dated at ANSTO by radiocarbon (14C). Snail shells, like tree rings, can be described as environmental proxies or natural archives of weather and landscape changes.  Interruptions or spurts in shell growth leave distinct markers that indicate environmental change.  The study has showed that distinct growth spurts in the land snail correspond to severe weather events—such as extreme rainfall or cyclones. The shell samples in this study were taken from locations evenly spaced around the shell to help determine its age.   Photographs of the modern Biggenden Banded Snail (Figuladra bayensis) shell reveal shell characteristics (patterns, colors), terminolo...