The carbon cycle plays a crucial role in maintaining the Earth’s climate and supporting life by regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. While the short-term carbon cycle—think daily processes like photosynthesis—gets much of the attention, the deep carbon cycle unfolds over millions of years. This “deep” cycle describes the movement of carbon between the Earth’s mantle, surface, and atmosphere, affecting global climate patterns over geological timescales. Let’s dive into the deep carbon cycle and explore how it shapes the planet beneath our feet.