Question

select the correct answer.
what would likely have happened to earth if no icy debris had arrived?
a. it would still have oceans but no atmospheric water.

b. it would still have atmospheric water but no oceans.

c. it would have no oceans or atmospheric water.

d. it would have traces of water beneath its surface.

e. it would have released water in volcanic outgassing.

Explanation:

Icy debris (like comets) are thought to have delivered a significant amount of Earth's water. Without this icy debris delivering water, Earth would likely lack the water needed to form oceans and would also have no atmospheric water (since oceans are a major source of atmospheric water through evaporation, and without the initial water from icy debris, neither would form). Option A is wrong as no icy debris means no ocean - forming water. Option B is wrong as without the initial water from icy debris, there's no source for atmospheric water or oceans. Option D is wrong as without icy debris delivering water, there's no source for subsurface water traces. Option E is wrong as volcanic outgassing alone isn't enough to create the large - scale water systems (oceans/atmospheric water) we have; it was the icy debris that provided the bulk of the water.

Answer:

C. It would have no oceans or atmospheric water.