This study of the anodic behavior of magnesium in simulated seawater has shown that the corrosion product formed at the surface of the electrode depends mainly on the nature of ions dissolved in the electrolyte. Analyses of the corrosion product, formed in the presence of a high concentration of chloride ions, are compatible with the formation of a compound having approximately the formula 5Mg(OH)2•MgCl2. However, this complex is gradually transformed over a period of several hours into Mg(OH)2.A model of the oxidation mechanism is presented in which the characteristics of the anodic behavior of magnesium are related to the structure of the oxidation layer. For example, the activation of the surface of the anode, the kinetics of the hydrogen evolution reaction, and the large difference between values of corrected and uncorrected electrode potential can all be explained by this model. It is the resistance of the film to the flow of current which controls the kinetics of anodic dissolution of magnesium.