Earth’s early atmosphere—same as today’s
Recently, scientists analyzed tiny gas bubbles in diamonds, said to be at least 2.7 billion years old. They concluded that the chemical composition of Earth’s atmosphere was established early in its history.
They heated the diamonds to 2000 °C, turning them into graphite. Then they analyzed the volatile compounds (such as helium, neon, and argon) driven off. These were absorbed from the atmosphere during the diamonds’ formation. Diamonds have an extremely tight lattice structure, which makes them ideal ‘time capsules’.
Secular researchers assumed the earth’s atmosphere contained no oxygen at the beginning. In their thinking it took billions of years before the atmosphere could support life. However, from the composition of the volatiles measured in the diamonds it appears that Earth’s early atmosphere was like it is today. I.e., a life-supporting atmosphere was present soon after Earth formed—and remained fundamentally the same ever since.
Lead researcher Dr Michael Broadley, of the University of Lorraine, presented the findings at the recent Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference. He said, “This was a surprising result.”
However, this is no surprise to those who believe the creation account in Genesis—that the earth was created to be inhabited (Isaiah 45:18). God created the world in six normal-length Earth-rotation days, about 6.000 years ago. He began creating plants on Day 3. Obviously, the atmosphere needed to be in place by then, and with a composition much like today’s, so the creatures could breathe.
- Massey, N., Diamonds are the jewel of life–and really are forever: study; perthnow.com.au, 6 Jul 2021.
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