2: An Introduction to Earth
- Page ID
- 33402
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The changes that have occurred since the inception of Earth are vast and significant. From the introduction of oxygen into the atmosphere, the progression of life forms, the assembly and deconstruction of several supercontinents, to the extinction of more life forms than exist today. Having a general understanding of these changes can put present change into a more rounded perspective.
How and when does the story of Earth begin? A logical place to start is with the formation of our planet. However, the formation of our planet is part of a larger story, the story of the formation of our solar system.
This chapter summarizes the origin of our solar system and introduces the earliest chapters of the Earth's story.