TLDR: Earth’s water, formed 4.5 billion years ago, likely originated from meteorites, space dust, and the sun, contributing to our unique and abundant supply.
This article is a summary of a You Tube video “Where Did Water Come From?” by PBS Eons
Key Takeaways:
- Earth’s Violent Beginnings: Earth was formed about 4.5 billion years ago, resulting from a catastrophic collision with a Mars-sized planet.
- Formation of the Moon: This immense collision created a chunk of lava that eventually cooled into our moon.
- The Hadean Eon: Named after the Greek god Hades, this era was characterized by extremely high temperatures and a hellish environment.
- Emergence of Water: Despite initial high temperatures, Earth eventually cooled down enough for liquid water to form on its surface.
- Mystery of Earth’s Water: Earth’s proximity to the sun makes its abundant water unusual, especially compared to other inner planets like Mercury, Venus, and Mars.
- Sources of Water: The primary sources of Earth’s water are believed to be meteorites, space dust, and even the sun, through a process involving solar winds.
- Chondrite Meteorites: These meteorites contain water integrated into their mineral structure and have contributed significantly to Earth’s water.
- Water Trapped in Earth’s Mantle: A large amount of Earth’s water is believed to be stored in its mantle, trapped during the cooling of magma oceans.
- Chemical Composition of Water: The isotopic composition of hydrogen in Earth’s water suggests a complex history involving both heavy (deuterium-rich) and light hydrogen.
- Ongoing Scientific Debate: The exact origin and composition of Earth’s water remains a subject of research and debate among scientists.
