When the solar system settled into its current layout about 4.5 billion years ago, Earth formed when gravity pulled swirling gas and dust in to become the third planet from the Sun. Like its fellow terrestrial planets, Earth has a central core, a rocky mantle, and a solid crust.

What was the first life on Earth?

In July 2018, scientists reported that the earliest life on land may have been bacteria 3.22 billion years ago. In May 2017, evidence of microbial life on land may have been found in 3.48 billion-year-old geyserite in the Pilbara Craton of Western Australia.

Where did the earth come from?

Earth formed from debris orbiting around our sun about 4 ½ billion years ago. That is also the approximate age of the sun, but it is not the beginning of our story. The story really begins with the Big Bang nearly 14 billion years ago, which spewed hydrogen atoms throughout the universe.