The temperature of the ocean about four billion years ago was ____.
A)about the same as today's ocean
B)much colder than that of today's ocean
C)extremely hot compared with today's ocean
D)only slightly warmer than today's ocean

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Four billion years ago, the Earth was still cooling down from its formation, and the surface of the planet was still molten. The ocean that existed at that time was formed from water vapor released by volcanic activity. The atmosphere was mostly composed of methane, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, with little or no oxygen. As a result, the temperature of the ocean was much hotter than it is today, possibly reaching temperatures of up to 200 degrees Celsius (392 degrees Fahrenheit). Therefore, the best choice is C, which states that the temperature of the ocean four billion years ago was extremely hot compared with today's ocean.

The Temperature of the Ocean About Four Billion Years Ago