Formation of the early atmosphere and oceans

Describe how the earth’s surface was initially.

The Earth’s surface was originally molten for many millions of years. It was so hot that any atmosphere just dispersed into space.

How was the early atmosphere formed?

There was intense volcanic activity for the first billion years after the Earth was formed, and the volcanoes gave out lots of gas. Scientists think that these gases went on to form the early atmosphere and the oceans. The early atmosphere was probably mostly carbon dioxide with little or no oxygen (like the atmosphere of Mars or Venus today).

Therefore what was released by the early volcanoes?

Volcanic activity likely also released nitrogen, which built up over time, and water vapour was likely also released alongside small amounts of methane and ammonia

How were oceans first formed?

The water vapour released by the volcanoes condensed as the Earth cooled, forming the oceans.