According to the generally accepted scientific hypothesis, the Earth formed about 4.54 billion years ago. The process of its formation was completed within 10 to 20 million years.

The proto-Earth grew by accretion until its interior was hot enough to melt the heavy metals. This resulted in the separation of a primitive mantle and a metallic core, producing the layered structure of the planet just 10 million years after its formation. In addition, it marked the beginning of the formation of Earth’s magnetic field.

At the beginning of its history, Earth was quite hot and inhospitable for all life forms. Soon after its formation was completed, about 4.1 billion years ago, a period of intense meteorite impacts began. It ended about 3.8 billion years ago, after which the Earth began to cool. It’s believed that about 3.5 billion years ago, life already existed on the planet. At least the oldest fossils date back to this period.

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