early photosynthesis oxygen atmospheric rise chemical sinks

Earth's first oxygen was swallowed by rocks and oceans

Microbes were producing oxygen hundreds of millions of years before Earth's atmosphere became oxygen-rich. At first, much of that oxygen reacted with dissolved iron and other chemicals instead of accumulating in the air. Only after these chemical sinks could no longer consume oxygen as quickly as it was produced did atmospheric oxygen begin its major rise, around 2.4 billion years ago.

Alaric captured Rome by starving it

In 410, Alaric captured Rome mainly by starving it, not through a major assault. He controlled the port that supplied Rome’s grain. The sack lasted three days and caused relatively little physical destruction.

Price controls made Paris food shortages worse

During the Reign of Terror, the government tried to control food prices. But the rules made farmers less willing to sell their food in Paris, making the shortages even worse.

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early photosynthesis oxygen atmospheric rise chemical sinks

Earth's first oxygen was swallowed by rocks and oceans

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