Earth is Approximately 4.54 Billion Years Old Scientists estimate the Earth's age to be about 4.54 billion years, based on extensive geological and astronomical studies.
Radiometric Dating is the Key Method The most reliable method used to date the Earth is radiometric dating, which measures the decay of radioactive isotopes in rocks and minerals.
Oldest Rocks on Earth are 4 Billion Years Old Earth's oldest surface rocks, found in Greenland, Canada, and Australia, date back about 4 billion years, providing crucial age evidence.
Meteorites Provide Age Clues Meteorites, which formed around the same time as Earth, are radiometrically dated to approximately 4.56 billion years, helping refine Earth's age.
Lunar Samples Offer Insights Rocks brought back from the Moon during the Apollo missions are around 4.5 billion years old, indicating Earth and the Moon formed simultaneously.
Zircon Crystals Reveal Earth's Early History Zircon crystals from Australia, some of the oldest minerals ever found, are about 4.4 billion years old, offering a glimpse into Earth's early crust.
Carbon Dating is Not Used for Earth’s Age While useful for dating once-living materials up to 50,000 years old, carbon dating is ineffective for determining Earth’s age due to its short half-life.
Astrophysical Models Support the Timeline The age of Earth aligns with the formation of the solar system, as confirmed by astrophysical models of planetary formation and the age of the Sun.