Insightful Animated Video Sums up 4.5 Billion Years of Earth’s History in 60 Minutes

earth from space

Photo: studio023/Depositphotos

Earth is estimated to be 4.5 billion years old. But even though scientists have closed in on our planet's age, it can be difficult to fully grasp such an astronomical number. To help us understand Earth's history, YouTube channel Kurzgesagt has released an animated video chronicling how everything has evolved since our planet was first formed.

At 60 minutes-long, each second of the video represents about 1 million years. Rather than being action packed or filled with facts, the pace stays true to its illustrative mission, showcasing how long it took for our planet to look like it does today. This also emphasizes life as we know it has been around for such a short amount of time. Dinosaurs appear around the 58 minute mark, while mankind is only featured in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment at the very end.

But that doesn't make it a tedious video whatsoever. The vibrant colors and upbeat music enhance the detailed animations that tell the story. While its creators have described it as the “perfect background for your next party, a great way to take a break from studying, or a fascinating companion while you’re on the go,” the amount of work put into the video deserves one's attention. The hypnotizing visuals alone are worth a watch at least once and, should you do it, you'll walk away with a lesson in the history of the place we all call home.

You can watch the video below, and visit Kurzgesagt's YouTube channel to watch more insightful animations.

Kurzgesagt has released an animated video chronicling Earth's history. At 60 minutes-long, each second of the video represents about 1 million years.

Kurzgesagt: Instagram | YouTube
h/t: [Kottke]

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Regina Sienra

Regina Sienra is a Staff Writer at My Modern Met. Based in Mexico City, Mexico, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications with specialization in Journalism from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. She has 10+ years’ experience in Digital Media, writing for outlets in both English and Spanish. Her love for the creative arts—especially music and film—drives her forward every day.
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