Geochemical History

Oxygen is the most abundant element in the Earth's crust, accounting for about 46% of its mass.

Degassing is the process by which gases are released from the Earth's interior to the surface, forming the atmosphere and oceans.

The continental crust is the layer of the Earth's crust that is composed primarily of continental rocks, such as granite and gneiss.

Subduction is the process by which the Earth's crust is recycled back into the mantle, where it is melted and reformed.

Plate tectonics is the theory that explains the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates, which are large pieces of the Earth's crust that move around the Earth's surface.

Accretion is the process by which the Earth's crust is formed, as material from the Solar System is added to the Earth.

The oceanic crust is the layer of the Earth's crust that is composed primarily of oceanic rocks, such as basalt and gabbro.

Differentiation is the process by which the Earth's crust is differentiated into different layers, such as the continental crust, the oceanic crust, and the mantle.

The core is the layer of the Earth that is composed primarily of iron and nickel.

Mantle convection is the process by which the Earth's mantle convects, as hot material from the Earth's core rises to the surface and cooler material from the surface sinks back down.

The nebular hypothesis is the theory that explains the formation of the Solar System, as a cloud of gas and dust collapses under its own gravity and forms a rotating disk.

Degassing is the process by which the Earth's atmosphere is formed, as gases are released from the Earth's interior to the surface.

Degassing is the process by which the Earth's oceans are formed, as water vapor is released from the Earth's interior to the surface and condenses to form liquid water.

Plate tectonics is the process by which the Earth's surface is shaped by the movement of tectonic plates, which are large pieces of the Earth's crust that move around the Earth's surface.

The nebular hypothesis is the theory that explains the evolution of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans, as a cloud of gas and dust collapses under its own gravity and forms a rotating disk.