2006-12-01 01:29:44 · 11 answers · asked by terminator 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
It's 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?
2006-12-01 05:17:58 · answer #1 · answered by QFL 24-7 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The general consensus by the authorities supposedly in the know place the earth at about 4 to 5 billion years old and the universe at about 15 billion years old.
2006-12-01 09:33:58 · answer #2 · answered by Ted 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Widely accepted scientific evidence indicates that the Earth was formed around 4.57 billion years ago[1] and its natural satellite, the Moon, was orbiting it shortly thereafter, around 4.53 billion years ago.
You could get more information from the link below...
2006-12-01 11:22:53 · answer #3 · answered by catzpaw 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Old as dirt! Some say the oldest rocks on Earth are 3.4 billion years old.
2006-12-01 09:33:59 · answer #4 · answered by brandy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Around 4.5 billions years.
2006-12-01 11:38:51 · answer #5 · answered by existenz48162 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus knows the age of the earth ;)
2006-12-01 11:21:30 · answer #6 · answered by town_cl0wn 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
About 4.6 billion years old.
2006-12-01 09:38:20 · answer #7 · answered by The Man In The Box 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they say that earth's age is 4.5 billion years or more!
2006-12-01 21:25:31 · answer #8 · answered by gelle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Best guess is about 4.5 billion years... Wow can you imagine lighting that birthday cake ?
2006-12-01 09:32:12 · answer #9 · answered by Gene 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
about 4.55 billion years.
2006-12-01 12:44:30 · answer #10 · answered by me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋