Oceans formed on Earth as its atmosphere cooled and water vapor in the atmosphere condensed into liquid water, which then collected in low-lying areas to form bodies of water. Over time, continuous rainfall helped to fill these bodies of water, eventually forming oceans.
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The formation of oceans on Earth likely occurred as a result of the cooling and solidification of the Earth's surface. Water vapor that was present in the atmosphere condensed and formed liquid water, eventually collecting in low-lying areas to create oceans. The process was also influenced by volcanic activity releasing water vapor and other gases into the atmosphere.
Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and continents began to form around 4.6 billion years ago during the planet's early stages of formation. The atmosphere likely evolved from gases released during volcanic activity, while the oceans formed from water vapor that condensed as the Earth cooled. The continents began to form through the process of plate tectonics, with land masses emerging and colliding over millions of years.
Earth's first atmosphere was likely formed through volcanic activity, which released gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. The oceans were then formed over time as water vapor in the atmosphere condensed and fell as rain, eventually filling depressions on the Earth's surface to form oceans.
Less than 0.001% of Earth's total water is stored in the atmosphere in the form of water vapor. The majority of Earth's water is found in oceans, followed by glaciers, groundwater, and freshwater lakes and rivers.
Most of Earth's water is in the oceans, which account for about 97% of the planet's water. The remaining 3% is found in ice caps, glaciers, groundwater, lakes, rivers, and in the atmosphere.