Earth formed about 4.54 billion years ago from dust and gas around the young Sun
Gravity pulled the material together into growing clumps called planetesimals
These clumps collided and merged into a larger body called the proto-Earth
The early Earth became extremely hot from impacts, compression, and radioactive decay
Heavy materials like iron sank to the center, forming the core
Lighter materials rose upward, forming the mantle and crust
A giant impact with a Mars-sized body likely helped form the Moon
Volcanic activity released gases that formed the early atmosphere
Water from volcanic outgassing and icy impacts helped create the oceans
Earth cooled over time, allowing a solid crust to form
The planet continued to change through plate tectonics, erosion, and life processes