Evolution of the atmosphere, process by which Earth’s modern atmosphere arose from earlier conditions. Evidence of these changes, though indirect, is abundant.

Dec 21, 2025 · Climate change, the periodic modification of Earth’s climate caused by atmospheric changes and the atmosphere’s interactions with geologic, chemical, biological, and geographic factors.

Nov 21, 2025 · Greenhouse effect, a warming of Earth’s surface and troposphere (the lowest layer of the atmosphere) caused by the presence of water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and certain other …

Dec 15, 2025 · Earth’s atmosphere is not a static feature of the environment. Rather, its composition has evolved over geologic time in concert with life and is changing more rapidly today in response to …

Dec 22, 2025 · The history of humanity—from the initial appearance of genus Homo over 2,000,000 years ago to the advent and expansion of the modern human species (Homo sapiens) beginning …

Nov 24, 2025 · It is generally believed that as Earth’s surface warms and the atmosphere’s water vapour content increases, global cloud cover increases. However, the effects on near-surface air …

Nov 24, 2025 · Global warming and climate change have the potential to alter biological systems. More specifically, changes to near-surface air temperatures will likely influence ecosystem functioning and …

Nov 22, 2025 · The atmosphere allows most of the visible light from the Sun to pass through and reach Earth’s surface. As Earth’s surface is heated by sunlight, it radiates part of this energy back toward …

Although oxygen did not accumulate in any appreciable amount in the atmosphere until early Proterozoic time, processes occurring in Earth’s oceans toward the end of Archean helped set the …

Dec 17, 2025 · For a full description of the processes that created the current atmosphere on Earth, see evolution of the atmosphere. For information on the long-term conditions of the atmosphere as they …