Research conducted by scientists from the University of Manchester and the University of Houston suggests that contrary to the current view that our atmosphere and oceans came from the release of volcanic gases may be incorrect. Instead they suggest that the the source of our early atmosphere came from space itself.

From the article:

“We found a clear meteorite signature in volcanic gases,” said Dr Greg Holland the project’s lead scientist.

“From that we now know that the volcanic gases could not have contributed in any significant way to the Earth’s atmosphere.

“Therefore the atmosphere and oceans must have come from somewhere else, possibly from a late bombardment of gas and water rich materials similar to comets.

What I’m curious about is if this makes the particular life sustaining qualities of our atmosphere more or unless likely to be present on other planets.

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