Creation vs. Evolution II

How Old is the Earth?

by Jeremy E., Creation vs. Evolution II Team Member

The age of the Earth is important to the theory of evolution, because in order for evolution to occur, billions of years are needed. If the Earth is only 6 thousand years old as many creationists claim, then evolution cannot be true. This is why this is a major topic in the evolution vs. creation debate. Scientists have reliable ways of estimating the age of the earth.

The current estimate for the age of the Earth is 4.55 billion years, with an error margin of 1 percent. This age was arrived at using lead isochron dating, which measures the ratios of a radioactive lead isotope and its decay product. It has been confirmed with other elements, uranium being one. It was not possible to date the earth directly, because erosion and crustal recycling have erased any rock older than 3.8 billion years, but since all of the solar system formed at the same time, meteorites have been used to confirm the age.

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