age of the Earth

The Earth is approximately 4.54 billion years old, a span of time determined through scientific methods like radiometric dating of rocks and minerals. This process measures the decay of radioactive elements, providing a reliable estimate of Earth's age. Over this billions-of-years timeline, the planet has undergone significant changes, including the formation of its crust, oceans, and atmosphere, and the development of life. The age of Earth is widely accepted within the scientific community and helps us understand Earth's history, geological processes, and the evolution of life on our planet.