Earth Science
Earth History
Early Atmosphere and Oceans
Study Tip
Earth’s atmosphere can be divided into three stages, so try to memorize dates based on the events during each stage.
Conditions of the Early Earth
The first atmosphere consisted of hydrogen and helium, gasses predominantly found throughout the solar system
When Earth was cool enough, water vapor from
outgassing
and comets condensed and rain began to fall (this initiated the water cycle).
Outgassing brought gasses from the interior of the Earth to the surface.
Study Tip
Earth’s atmosphere can be divided into three stages, so try to memorize dates based on the events during each stage.
Impacts by asteroids and comets brought carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia, nitrogen, and other explosive substances.
Precipitation collected over millions of years to form the first oceans.
Dissolved minerals carried by stream runoff made the early oceans salty.
4 billion year old marine sedimentary rocks give evidence to a presence of an early ocean
Earth Science
Early Atmosphere
Atmosphere
Description
First Atmosphere
Primarily made of hydrogen and helium
Outgassing was a source of water vapor, carbon dioxide, small amounts of nitrogen, and other gases.
Second Atmosphere
First atmosphere to stay with the planet
This atmosphere had lots of water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and methane but almost no oxygen.
Third Atmosphere
The Great Oxygenation Event introduces free oxygen into the atmosphere and causes the extinction of many organisms
Banded-Iron
formations give evidence to an oxygen filled atmosphere 3.7 billion years ago
Formation of Earth’s ozone layer from excess oxygen produced by plants
Concept Check
Describe the three stages in the development of Earth’s atmosphere.
What is the Great Oxygenation Event?
How were Earth’s early oceans created?