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The Weather Channel

Earth’s first oceans were green

The Weather Channel · Recent
The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel
Recent

Billions of years ago, our planet looked very different, including its coloring. New research suggests that early oceans were green, not blue, giving our planet a green hue overall.

Breakdown
  • A new study reveals early Earth's oceans were green, not blue. 6s
  • Cyanobacteria were responsible for the green color by reflecting green light. 21s
  • Rising sea temperatures could cause oceans to turn green again, this time due to phytoplankton. 33s
  • A 2023 study found 56% of Earth's oceans have taken on a green hue in the past 20 years. 39s
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