Editing History of Earth

Earth, our home planet, formed approximately 4.54 billion years ago from clouds of dust and gas left after the Sun's creation. Over eons, Earth evolved through stages that transformed it from a hot, hostile environment into a habitable planet teeming with life.

'''<big>Formation and Early Earth</big>'''

* '''4.54 Billion Years Ago''': Earth formed through accretion, where gravity pulled together dust, rock, and gas. During this period, constant collisions with other space objects kept the young planet molten and unstable.
* '''The Moon’s Formation''': A Mars-sized body collided with Earth early on, ejecting material that coalesced into the Moon. This event stabilized Earth’s rotation and tilt, giving rise to the regular cycles of day, night, and seasons.
* '''The Hadean Eon (4.5–4.0 Billion Years Ago)''': Named for its intense heat, Earth’s surface began cooling during this period, forming the crust. Volcanic activity released gases, creating a primitive atmosphere, while water vapor condensed into oceans.

'''<big>The Archean Eon and the Origins of Life</big>'''

* '''4.0–2.5 Billion Years Ago''': Earth’s crust solidified, and continents began to form. Around 3.5 billion years ago, the first known life forms—microbial organisms—emerged in the oceans, marking the start of life on Earth. These early life forms performed photosynthesis, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.
* '''The Great Oxidation Event (2.5 Billion Years Ago)''': Over time, photosynthesizing microbes dramatically increased atmospheric oxygen, creating conditions favorable for more complex organisms. However, this oxygen buildup also led to mass extinctions of anaerobic life.

'''<big>The Proterozoic Eon and Rise of Complex Life</big>'''

* '''2.5 Billion–541 Million Years Ago''': The Proterozoic Eon saw more stable continents and the accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere and oceans. Simple multicellular organisms appeared around 1.2 billion years ago. By the end of this eon, the first animals had evolved, including soft-bodied creatures in the oceans.
* '''Snowball Earth''': This eon experienced severe ice ages, where much of the planet’s surface was frozen. These ice ages were followed by warming events that influenced evolutionary development.

'''<big>The Phanerozoic Eon and the Explosion of Life</big>'''

* '''The Cambrian Explosion (541 Million Years Ago)''': A remarkable burst of biodiversity led to the rapid evolution of most major animal groups, including early vertebrates, arthropods, and mollusks. This period marked the beginning of the Phanerozoic Eon, which continues today.
* '''Life on Land (450–300 Million Years Ago)''': Plants and fungi colonized land, followed by animals. Vertebrates emerged from the oceans, leading to amphibians and then reptiles. These life forms evolved into more diverse ecosystems on land.
* '''The Age of Dinosaurs (250–66 Million Years Ago)''': Dinosaurs dominated the planet during the Mesozoic Era, while early mammals and birds also appeared. The era ended with a massive asteroid impact that caused the fifth major extinction event, wiping out the dinosaurs and many other species.

'''<big>The Cenozoic Era and Rise of Mammals</big>'''

* '''66 Million Years Ago–Present''': Following the dinosaurs' extinction, mammals diversified and became the dominant land animals. Around 2.5 million years ago, the first human ancestors appeared in Africa. Over time, these hominins evolved into modern humans, who spread across the globe, developing advanced societies.

'''<big>Earth Today</big>'''
The history of Earth is marked by dynamic geological and biological changes that shaped its landscapes, climate, and ecosystems. Today, Earth supports millions of species, including humans, who now influence the planet’s environment significantly through technology and industry. This long journey from a molten sphere to a vibrant, life-filled world underscores Earth’s unique and intricate history in the universe.
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[[Category:Earth]]