Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
  1. Home
  2. Search

Refine search

Refine search

Access:
Content type:
Publication date:
Apply   From and To filters
Subject: Show more
Journals Show more
Publishers: Show more
Societies Show more
Series: Show more
Collections: Show more

Actions for selected content:

Select all | Deselect all
  • View selected items
  • Export citations
  • Download PDF (zip)
  • Save to Kindle
  • Save to Dropbox
  • Save to Google Drive

Save Search

You can save your searches here and later view and run them again in "My saved searches".

Please provide a title, maximum of 40 characters.
Cancel
×

1 results

  • 4 - Conditions on Early Earth

  • from Part II - Earth
  • Manasvi Lingam, Florida Institute of Technology, Amedeo Balbi, Università degli Studi di Roma 'Tor Vergata'
  • Book:
    From Stars to Life
    Print publication:
    05 December 2024, pp 75-87

  • Summary

    The conditions on early Earth prior to four billion years ago (Hadean Earth), which shaped the origin(s) and early evolution of life, are discussed in this chapter. It begins with a summary of the various sources of internal heat on terrestrial planets and the types of heat transport (e.g., conduction), as these factors influenced the habitability of early Earth and its temporal evolution. This is followed by an exposition of the characteristics of Hadean Earth: the Moon-forming impact, oceans, landmasses, and atmosphere, including the faint young Sun paradox – how did Earth stay unfrozen despite the Sun’s lower luminosity? The chapter concludes with sketching the putative Late Heavy Bombardment (a potential spike in the impactor rate) about four billion years ago, and a general treatment of the positives and downsides of large impacts.