degassing

Earth science
Also known as: outgassing

Learn about this topic in these articles:

Assorted References

  • formation of primitive atmosphere
    • abundance of oxygen
      In evolution of the atmosphere: Outgassing of the solid planet

      The release of gases during volcanic eruptions is one example of outgassing; releases at submarine hydrothermal vents are another. Although the gas in modern volcanic emanations commonly derives from rocks that have picked up volatiles at Earth’s surface and then…

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  • global warming
    • Grinnell Glacier shrinkage
      In global warming: Carbon dioxide

      …sources of atmospheric CO2 include outgassing from volcanoes, the combustion and natural decay of organic matter, and respiration by aerobic (oxygen-using) organisms. These sources are balanced, on average, by a set of physical, chemical, or biological processes, called “sinks,” that tend to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Significant natural sinks…

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  • production of interplanetary dust particles
    • interplanetary dust particle
      In micrometeoroid

      …system can produce dust by outgassing, cratering, volcanism, or other processes. Most micrometeoroids are believed to come from the surface erosion and collisions of asteroids and from comets, which give off gas and dust when they travel near the Sun.

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  • volcanic activity
    • faux amphibolite
      In geology: Volcanology

      …are an aspect of the degassing of the Earth’s interior. Although the degassing processes that affect the Earth were probably much more vigorous when it was newly formed about 4,600,000,000 years ago, it is interesting to consider that the degassing processes are still at work. Their scale, however, is vastly…

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evolution of

    • hydrosphere
      • Earth's environmental spheres
        In hydrosphere: Origin and evolution of the hydrosphere

        Gains would be from continuous degassing of Earth; the present degassing rate of juvenile water has been determined as being only 0.3 cubic km (about 0.07 cubic mile) per year. Water loss in the upper atmosphere is by photodissociation, the breakup of water vapour molecules into hydrogen and oxygen due…

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    • oceans
      • The Bahamas
        In seawater: The early oceans

        Whether most of this degassing took place during core formation or soon afterward or whether there has been significant degassing of Earth’s interior throughout geologic time is uncertain. Recent models of Earth formation, however, suggest early differentiation of Earth into three major zones (core, mantle, and crust) and attendant…

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