Abstract EANA2025-189

We employ an energy balance model to investigate the climate conditions of the Archean Earth, focusing on the roles of atmospheric composition, rotational period and surface water coverage. As such, we tested a grid of atmospheric compositions and surface pressures under evolving surface, planetary and Solar conditions. Our results highlight atmospheric composition as a primary factor influencing planetary habitability. In line with known solutions of the Faint Young Sun Paradox, we find that an increased concentration of CO2 and CH4 greenhouse gases can sustain habitable surface temperatures. By modeling the evolution of the Archean Earth throughout the period from 4.0 to 2.5 billion years ago within the bounds of known surface temperatures and pressures limits, and ocean coverage, we constrained the concentration of CH4 and CO2 at different ages. These findings underscore the importance of models in bridging the gap between the sparse surviving geophysical record of the Archean Eon to further refine our understanding of the environment that gave birth to life.