The birth of Earth is a fascinating story that traces back about 4.6 billion years, when our planet formed as part of the solar system. This process began with the collapse of a region within a large molecular cloud, primarily composed of hydrogen, helium, and traces of heavier elements. As this region collapsed under its own gravity, it began to spin and flatten into a disk, with the Sun forming at its center.
In this swirling disk of gas and dust, particles began to collide and stick together, forming larger and larger bodies. These initial clumps, called planetesimals, varied in size from small boulders to larger bodies several kilometers across. Over time, these planetesimals continued to collide and merge, leading to the formation of protoplanets.
Around 4.5 billion years ago, one of these protoplanets—what would become Earth—was formed through a series of violent impacts and accretion processes. This period was marked by intense heat due to the energy released from these collisions, as well as the decay of radioactive isotopes. The young Earth was initially molten, and over time, it began to cool, allowing for the formation of a solid crust.
In this swirling disk of gas and dust, particles began to collide and stick together, forming larger and larger bodies. These initial clumps, called planetesimals, varied in size from small boulders to larger bodies several kilometers across. Over time, these planetesimals continued to collide and merge, leading to the formation of protoplanets.
Around 4.5 billion years ago, one of these protoplanets—what would become Earth—was formed through a series of violent impacts and accretion processes. This period was marked by intense heat due to the energy released from these collisions, as well as the decay of radioactive isotopes. The young Earth was initially molten, and over time, it began to cool, allowing for the formation of a solid crust.
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