how do they even calculate something like this?
Typically, I ask google... like this:
https://www.google.com/search?q=how+do+scientists+calculate+the+age+of+earth
Google responds... like this:
How is Earth's Age Calculated?
Quote
The best estimate for Earth's age is based on radiometric dating of fragments from the Canyon Diablo iron meteorite. From the fragments, scientists calculated the relative abundances of elements that formed as radioactive uranium decayed over billions of years.
How Do Scientists Measure Earth Age?
Quote
Generally speaking, scientists have developed four different methods of determining the age of the earth. By using these methods, or a combination of them, the age of geological formations created by past events and even the fossilized bones of prehistoric animals can be determined.
Based on the research done by scientists, the Geologic Column, a graph that illustrates earth age, was developed. The Column, with its names for the epochs and eras of time, illustrates what scientists think was taking place in earth history. A small version of the Geologic Column is pictured at the right.
Let's take a brief look at each of these methods.
The three primary methods are:
Radiation Measurement
Stratigraphic Superposition
The Fossil Record
Based on the research done by scientists, the Geologic Column, a graph that illustrates earth age, was developed. The Column, with its names for the epochs and eras of time, illustrates what scientists think was taking place in earth history. A small version of the Geologic Column is pictured at the right.
Let's take a brief look at each of these methods.
The three primary methods are:
Radiation Measurement
Stratigraphic Superposition
The Fossil Record