The Hadean (/ heɪˈdiːən, ˈheɪdiən / hay-DEE-ən, HAY-dee-ən) is the first and oldest of the four known geologic eons of Earth 's history, starting with the planet's formation about 4.6 billion years ago [4][5] (estimated 4567.30 ± 0.16 million years ago [2] set by the age of the oldest solid material in the Solar System — protoplanetary disk dust...

Jan 27, 2025 · The Hadean Eon is characterized by Earth’s initial formation—from the accretion of dust and gases and the frequent collisions of larger planetesimals—and by the stabilization of its core and crust and the development of its atmosphere and oceans.

The Hadean Eon, named after the Greek god and ruler of the underworld, Hades, is the oldest eon and dates from 4.6-4.0 billion years ago. This time represents Earth’s earliest history, during which the planet was characterized by a partially molten surface, volcanism, and asteroid impacts.

It is the unofficial geological period of time that lies just before the Archean time period. The Hadean began with the formation of the Earth roughly 4.5 billion years ago (Ga) and ended about 3.8 Ga; the latter date varies according to different sources.

From 4.6 to 4.0 billion years ago, the Hadean Eon is the first eon on Earth. Its key events are: HEAT SOURCE: Earth established a heat source with the sun. MAGNETIC FIELD: Convection currents produced a geodynamo. This was the first step for life to persist on Earth. MOON FORMATION: The formation of our moon was key to stabilizing our climate.

May 21, 2024 · The Hadean eon refers to the earliest geological epoch of Earth’s history, from the formation of the planet about 4.5 billion years ago, to the beginning of the Archean period, 3.8 billion years ago. The name “Hadean eon” is derived from the word Hades, the Greek word for Hell or “unseen”.

The Archean Eon and the Hadean. The Archean eon, which preceded the Proterozoic eon, spanned about 1.5 billion years and is subdivided into four eras: the Neoarchean (2.8 to 2.5 billion years ago), Mesoarchean (3.2 to 2.8 billion years ago), Paleoarchean (3.6 to 3.2 billion years ago), and Eoarchean (4 to 3.6 billion years ago).*