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Reconsidering the Past and Future of Planet Earth

Though we are bound to our planet and it is often impossible to see beyond our immediate future, few things are striking as an image of Earth as seen from outer space. The fascination with our place in the solar system has been alive ever since the homo sapien began prowling the land and navigating the waters of this unusual planet. At a time when many people say our time on Earth - like the dinosaur's - may be finite, it is interesting to reconsider the past and future of our planet.

A Unique and Unusual Terrestrial Planet

Considering the lack of life on other planets in our solar system, it is Earth that is the unusual planet of the group. Statistically, there are four planets larger than Earth, which is the third planet from the sun. Most agree that the Earth has existed some 4.5 billion years. While life forms developed over 3 billion years ago, periods of mass extinction have altered the course of the planet dramatically.


No single species has ever had as great an impact as human beings on the planet. Because of the capacity of human brains, we have dominated and influenced the entire planet in way never considered by other species.

A Doomed Planet?

A quick look at our solar system would point to the existence of life on Earth as a temporary thing. In fact, many scientists would agree that the planet will not exist forever. While it doesn't mean things can change within the next 500 million years (the minimum ballpark guess for the end of life on Earth), it is interesting to consider the fact that human life on Earth may not continue forever. Other more pessimistic figures will put our time as far shorter on the planet, yet most estimates are over a billion years. When considering our ability to travel distances never thought possible and build civilizations in places previously unheard of, it might not be the end of the world.

The Surface of the Earth

Since it is difficult for many of us to consider life on other planets - not to mention our potential for colonization of those planets - it is instructive to analyse the surface of the Earth. Most striking is the fact that over 70% of the planet is water. These waters cover a majority of the land - a stunning network, of caves, volcanoes, plains and canyons. Nature programs on television are so fascinating because there is so much life submerged in our waters. Many scientists believe that Earth is the only planet to have significant tectonic plate activity. While volcanoes have been identified on other planets, this unique plate activity occurs only on Earth.

A Realistic View of the Future of Earth

Pictures of Earth's future must include the sun to be complete. As the amount of helium inside the sun increases, its rays will decrease in intensity and life on the planet will suffer dramatically. In fact, it could spell the end of the oceans. Considering there would be only 30% of the planet left, life would likely cease to exist. There is about 600 million years until this event occurs, while human beings may have another 300 million more years afterwards.

A planet as unique in the history of our solar system is fascinating to comprehend, no matter what doomsday predictions may exist. It is likely an alternative plan will have been drawn up by the time Earth becomes uninhabitable.

Though we are bound to our planet and it is often impossible to see beyond our immediate future, few things are striking as an image of Earth as seen from outer space. The fascination with our place in the solar system has been alive ever since the homo sapien began prowling the land and navigating the waters of this unusual planet. At a time when many people say our time on Earth - like the dinosaur's - may be finite, it is interesting to reconsider the past and future of our planet.


Article Source: Cindy A. Wright

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