Science

'Excess oxygen' stored in deep Earth magma may help explain how Earth's atmosphere became oxygen-rich

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 16/10/2026, 17:10:24 UTC.

Briefings

A research team published in National Science Review discovered that molten rock can store more oxygen than its chemical composition suggests. This finding challenges the assumption that oxygen is strictly bound to minerals and suggests it may be sequestered in deep Earth magma. The study implies that ancient magma could have released oxygen into the atmosphere, potentially explaining how Earth became oxygen-rich. The research highlights a mechanism for atmospheric oxygenation that goes beyond standard chemical reactions.

Key points

• Molten rock can carry more oxygen than its chemical composition would seem to allow.
• The study suggests ancient magma could have released oxygen into the atmosphere, potentially explaining how Earth became oxygen-rich.

Context

This research challenges the assumption that oxygen is strictly bound to minerals and suggests it may be sequestered in deep Earth magma, offering a new mechanism for atmospheric oxygenation.

Limitations

The study is published in National Science Review and relies on a single research team's findings. No specific dates, locations, or numerical values are provided in the evidence. The exact timeframe of oxygen release from magma remains unconfirmed, and the study does not specify the geological conditions under which this occurred.

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