The Earth began to form around 4.6 billion years A long time ago! It is believed that a star far away in space exploded, causing huge amounts of interstellar dust to collapse in on itself. Our Sun formed first, and then the rest of the planets.
The Earth was formed from the union of rock and dust. The heat of the core caused tectonic plates move and collide with each other, causing volcanoes and earthquakes.
The first oceans are believed to have formed about 4.3 billion years ago.
When did the first life form on Earth?
Bacteria are believed to have emerged about 3.5 billion years ago.
The first humans did not appear until about 2 million years ago, although they were quite different from modern humans.
Discover more about Earth and our Solar System
This Smithsonian article is a brilliant overview of the History of life on Earth.
Make a model of the Layers of the Earth showing the inner core, outer core, mantle, and crust.
Read about the big bang theory and discover it How the universe expands!
More questions about science
Last updated on May 2, 2023 by Emma Vanstone
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