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Figure 1.2. Diagram illustrating the bases of the first abiotic
regulations of the Earth system (see color section)
C OMMENTARY ON F IGURE 1.2.- Due to an ocean being in place, the
inward fluxes are from now on potentially compensated by outward
fluxes for each of the reservoirs of matter. Short-term regulation is
assured by the chemical equilibriums of the ocean (the detail of which
will be addressed later), whereas the long-term regulation depends on
the tectonic cycle. The tectonic activity of the Earth system has been
maintained up until today, whereas that of Venus ceased to be very
early on. It is probable that this difference arises from the permanent
introduction of water into the mantle via the phenomena of
subduction. Such a communication between the upper geosphere and a
liquid ocean would be established on the Earth system while the early
tectonic was still sufficiently active, perhaps because of a more
significant initial hydration of the mantle resulting from the mega-
impact that formed the Earth-Moon duo.
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