Models of the early Earth

Abstract

Earth is at once the most improbable and most beautiful of planets. Its surface is infinite variety, its history complex and its future uncertain. We judge it beautiful since it is we who behold it: the presence of observers is the most extraordinary of all Earth’s features, and the anthropic principle amongst the most powerful of guides to comprehending its history. To harbour its life it alone possesses oceans of water on its surface, set amongst with continents. What took place in the bowels of the Earth to allow this? How did the surface develop? When and where did life begin, and what role did it play in maintaining its home?

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said

...‘where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

Tell me if you have understanding.

Who determined its measurement — if you know!

Or who stretched the line upon it?

On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone

When the morning stars sang together

and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst forth from the womb

When I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band

and prescribed bounds for it and set bars and doors

and said: Thus far shall you come, and no farther

and here shall your proud waves be stayed?...

Have you commanded the morning since your days began

and caused the dawn to know its place...?

Have the gates of death been revealed to you

or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?

Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth?

Declare, if you know all this.’

Job 38