Thursday, March 29, 2012

Fossilised Marks Of Raindrops Reveal Ancient Atmosphere

Fossilised imprints left by raindrops in South Africa 2.7 billion years ago. Credit: Wlady Altermann/University of Pretoria

Fossil Raindrops Reveal Ancient Atmosphere -- Cosmos

BRISBANE: The fossilised marks of raindrops that fell 2.7 billion years ago in South Africa have revealed the composition of the Earth's early atmosphere.

According to a new study published in Nature today, the early Earth had an atmosphere with similar air pressure to the present day, but much higher levels of greenhouse gases. The findings, from a time when the Earth already had abundant microbial life, should improve our knowledge of what kinds of extrasolar planets might support life.

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My Comment: In short .... greenhouse gases were abundant during the time.

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