earths early atmosphere

• How long ago was the Earth formed?

  4.6 billion years ago
• What is the common view among scientists regarding the Earth's early atmosphere?

  Carbon dioxide dominated the early atmosphere
• What characterized the Earth's surface during the first billion years?

  Highly active volcanoes
• What gases were released by the frequent eruptions of volcanoes?

  Carbon dioxide, water vapour, methane, ammonia, nitrogen
• How did carbon dioxide levels in the early atmosphere compare to modern-day Mars?

  Carbon dioxide dominated the early atmosphere like Mars
• What gas accumulated steadily in the atmosphere over time?

  Nitrogen
• What caused the formation of oceans on Earth?

  Water vapour condensing
• What was the effect of ocean formation on carbon dioxide levels?

  It caused a significant reduction in carbon dioxide
• What reactions produced carbonate precipitates in the oceans?

  Reactions between dissolved carbon dioxide and seawater
• What happened to the carbonate precipitates produced in the oceans?

  They were deposited as sediment