2006-09-05 01:19:23 · 14 answers · asked by legin_01 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
4 1/2 Billion years, based on several things:
1) dating meteorites. When we find a meteorite from this solar system that has a similar composition to earth, you get many young ages, but the oldest and most common date to 4.6 Ga (billion years).
2) isotope trends. When you look at certain radiogenic isotope ratios that change with time, like Rb/Sr or U/Pb, you find that many rocks with differnt ratios of many ages form a line, and the line traces back to an origin of 4.6 Ga as well.
The oldest life is 3 1/2 Ga, the oldest rock is about 4 Ga, and the oldest date ever found is on the highly durable mineral Zircon from Australia, it's date is 4.2 Ga. So, there is no direct method, it is based on inferences. However, many different inferences lead to the same number 4.559 Ga (to be specific).
You would have to throw out everything we know and love about Geology to accept a young earth view. When you look at the Grand Canyon, how can you say that only took 6000 years to form?
2006-09-05 06:12:14 · answer #1 · answered by QFL 24-7 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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RE:
How long ago was the earth formed?
2015-08-10 03:25:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The generally accepted age for the Earth and the rest of the solar system is about 4.55 billion years (plus or minus about 1%). This value is derived from several different lines of evidence.
2006-09-05 01:21:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Scientist beloved the earth was formed about 4.5 billion years ago by the big BANG theory!
2006-09-05 05:55:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't really believe anyone knows for sure. Our science has brough us a long way in a short time,but we still have a long way to go. We may find in the future that the earth was formed in a diff matter and at a diff time as we now belive.
2006-09-05 01:58:04 · answer #5 · answered by R W 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
4.5 Billion years , 5 months, 4 days, 3 hours , 2minutes and 5 no 6 no 7 8 9 10... seconds ;-)
2006-09-05 01:23:19 · answer #6 · answered by Panther 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think Michaela misunderstood the question and she should read it again. Darwin was a biologist not a geologist. He didn't say anything about the age of formation of the Earth.
2006-09-05 04:17:51 · answer #7 · answered by Amphibolite 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are exactly mid-way between the birth and death of our planet. Born about 4.5 billion years ago, it may live for another 4.5 billion years.
2006-09-05 03:19:22 · answer #8 · answered by Hobby 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well it depends on who you ask...If you ask a Fundamentalist Christian then the earth is only 6000 years old and all the evidence we have saying its not is just the devils way of tricking us...but if you use common sense and reality then its around 4.5 billion years old
2006-09-05 01:23:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
i think 4 or 5 billion years ago !!
2006-09-05 01:24:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋