Editing Earth (section)

=== Formation ===
The [[Sun's Solar System|Solar System]], including Earth, formed around 4.6 billion years ago. This process began in a vast cloud of gas and dust, known as a molecular cloud, which likely resulted from earlier stellar explosions (supernovae) that enriched the region with elements. Over time, gravity caused the cloud to collapse, forming a rotating disk of material with a dense central region. As this central region continued to compress under gravity, it ignited nuclear fusion reactions, creating our Sun.

The remaining matter in the disk began to coalesce due to gravity and collisions, forming clumps that eventually grew into planets, moons, asteroids, and other bodies. Earth itself formed roughly 4.54 billion years ago from the accretion of dust and rocky material orbiting the young Sun. During this early period, Earth was subject to intense volcanic activity, frequent collisions, and bombardments from other celestial bodies. One significant impact event is believed to have led to the formation of the Moon.

As Earth cooled over millions of years, a crust formed on its surface, volcanic outgassing created a primitive atmosphere, and water vapor condensed, forming the first oceans. This marked the beginning of Earth’s transition to a stable environment capable of supporting life, setting the stage for the planet's complex geological and biological evolution.