Ancient eruptions may have triggered conditions for oxygen ‘whiffs’ in the atmosphere In a nutshell Massive volcanic events known as Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) likely released carbon dioxide, warming the planet and increasing nutrient runoff into the ocean.

Researchers from the University of Tokyo provide a mechanism to explain precursor oxygenation events “whiffs,” which may have opened the door for Earth's oxygen-rich atmosphere.

Scientists found that volcanic eruptions triggered short-lived oxygen spikes before Earth's air became breathable.

It is widely believed that Earth's atmosphere has been rich in oxygen for about 2.5 billion years due to a relatively rapid increase in microorganisms capable of performing photosynthesis. Researchers,