Reading the Archive of Earth’s Oxygenation

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Earth's current environments are shaped by 4.5 billion years of evolution, marked by significant events that transformed the entire Earth system. This volume offers an illustrated exploration of the early Palaeoproterozoic, synthesizing our understanding of global events that shifted the Earth from an anoxic to an oxic state. It examines traces of life, explores potential causes for Huronian-age glaciations, and analyzes drastic changes in carbon, sulfur, and phosphorus cycles during this era. The book also provides a detailed description and extensive photo documentation of a supergiant, petrified oil field from the early Palaeoproterozoic. It critically reviews data on weathered surfaces and travertine deposits, discussing the potential use of various isotope systems to understand Palaeoproterozoic seawater chemistry and changes in redox states. The definition of an oxic atmosphere, the causes behind the rise of oxygen, and the gradual oxidation of terrestrial environments over hundreds of millions of years are thoroughly examined. Finally, the volume outlines how the FAR-DEEP cores can support future research and educational initiatives in the earth science community, inviting readers on a journey through one of Earth's most fascinating periods.