Scientists extract ancient air from rock-salt time capsule

A microscope took this image, which shows 1.4-billion-year-old halite crystals (rock salt). The crystal with the large bubble holds ancient air and brine. Image via Justin Park/ Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

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• Scientists extracted 1.4-billion-year-old air trapped in rock salt, providing a rare sample of Earth’s ancient atmosphere.
• The air contained higher oxygen...