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Glite Dictionary
🌍 Earliest Earth era 🔥 Ancient or hellish
Hadean

Hadean

9.9
The earliest time in Earth's history from about 4.6 to 4 billion years ago before rocks or life
  • noun
  • /ˈheɪdiən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hadeano
  • The Hadean eon was characterized by intense meteorite bombardment and a molten surface.

Examples

  • The Hadean eon marks the beginning of Earth's geological history.

  • Scientists study zircon crystals to learn about the conditions on Earth during the Hadean.

  • No rocks older than the Hadean eon have yet been discovered on Earth.

  • Scientists believe that the Hadean period was extremely volatile.

  • No rocks older than the Hadean eon have yet been discovered on Earth.

  • The Hadean eon was characterized by intense meteorite bombardment and a molten surface.

  • Scientists study zircon crystals to learn about the conditions on Earth during the Hadean.

Synonyms

Hadean eon
vsHadean
  • Specialized
9.9

The first time after Earth formed, about 4.6 to 4 billion years ago, before rocks or life

has identical meaning but appears as the shorter name form
Hadean time
vsHadean
  • Specialized
9.9

The very earliest time on Earth after it formed, before rocks or life existed

ends earlier, around four billion years ago rather than later
Priscoan eon
vsHadean
  • Specialized
9.9

A very early time on Earth from its formation until about 3,800 million years ago with no signs of life

ends earlier, around four billion years ago rather than as late as 3.8
Priscoan
vsHadean
  • Specialized
9.9

A very early time in Earth's history when the planet formed and no life existed

ends earlier at roughly four billion years before the later rock record

Compounds

Hadean time
  • Specialized
9.9

The very earliest time on Earth after it formed, before rocks or life existed

Hadean eon
  • Specialized
9.9

The first time after Earth formed, about 4.6 to 4 billion years ago, before rocks or life

Surface Forms

Hadean singular
Hadeans plural

Etymology

Hadean comes from Hades, the Greek name for the 'underworld' or 'hell'. Scientists used this name because the young Earth was like a hot, violent 'hell', so the Hadean eon means the very earliest time on Earth when the surface was mostly melted and hit by many meteors.