Question

What evidence is used to show that Earth’s atmosphere transitioned from methane to oxygen?(1 point) Responses Fossil records that show an increase in the population of stromatolites. Fossil records that show an increase in the population of stromatolites. Fossil records that show an increase in the number and types of simple plants. Fossil records that show an increase in the number and types of simple plants. Fossil records of species suddenly dying. Fossil records of species suddenly dying. Fossil records of large rust deposits.

Answer 1

The evidence used to show that Earth's atmosphere transitioned from methane to oxygen is: **Fossil records of large rust deposits.**

The presence of large iron oxide (rust) deposits indicates that free oxygen was present in the atmosphere, which would have reacted with iron in the ocean and on land to form rust. This transition signifies the Great Oxidation Event when significant amounts of oxygen began to accumulate in the atmosphere, moving away from a methane-dominated atmosphere.