Carboniferous Atmosphere: Difference between revisions

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| name = Carboniferous Atmosphere

| image = Carboniferous_Sky.png

| universe = [[Continuum Universes]]

| universe = Continuum Universes

| type = Oxygen-Rich Organic Atmosphere

| classification = Combustive Biospheric Air System

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}}

The '''Carboniferous Atmosphere''' is a **superoxygenated biospheric environment** typical of primeval, vegetation-dominated worlds.

The '''Carboniferous Atmosphere''' is a '''superoxygenated biospheric environment''' typical of primeval, vegetation-dominated worlds.

Named for the ancient era of rampant plant life and massive arthropods in pre-Continuum Terran history, it represents a phase of biospheric excess — a living equilibrium of growth, decay, and flame.

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With atmospheric oxygen levels exceeding 30%, the Carboniferous sky sustains vast forests and accelerated respiration rates.

The air is heavy, humid, and thick with volatile organics from plant emissions.

Its high density and pressure amplify both photosynthesis and combustion, leading to **cyclic firestorms** that renew planetary biomes rather than destroy them.

Its high density and pressure amplify both photosynthesis and combustion, leading to '''cyclic firestorms''' that renew planetary biomes rather than destroy them.

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== Ecological Dynamics ==

Carboniferous worlds operate on **fire ecology** — destruction and renewal are intertwined.

Carboniferous worlds operate on '''fire ecology''' — destruction and renewal are intertwined.

Flame acts as the planet’s pruning mechanism, recycling trapped carbon into nutrient-rich ash.

Gigantic ferns, fungi, and tree-analogues dominate the surface, some reaching kilometers in height.

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== Cultural and Symbolic Associations ==

Continuum historians associate Carboniferous worlds with the **First Breath of Creation**, when life first began to influence its own sky.

Continuum historians associate Carboniferous worlds with the '''First Breath of Creation''', when life first began to influence its own sky.

They are often depicted as living furnaces — crucibles where divine spark and organic matter first intermingled.

The [[Order of Renewal]] reveres these planets as symbols of resurrection: “Every tree is a torch; every flame, a birth.”

== Scientific Significance ==

For exobiologists, the Carboniferous phase represents a transitional model between **biogenic** and **geochemical atmosphere regulation**.

For exobiologists, the Carboniferous phase represents a transitional model between '''biogenic''' and '''geochemical atmosphere regulation'''.

It demonstrates how photosynthesis and combustion can stabilize planetary climates even in oxygen-saturated systems.

Several Continuum terraforming projects use Carboniferous protocols to jumpstart biospheric oxygenation on barren worlds.