Research Proposes Earth Formed Mainly from Inner Solar System Material

A new study from ETH Zurich suggests Earth primarily formed from material within the inner Solar System, contradicting the long-held theory that water-rich material from beyond Jupiter played a significant role. By comparing isotope ratios in meteorites with Earth's composition, researchers found less than two percent of Earth's mass originated from the outer Solar System. This challenges existing models of planetary formation and raises new questions about the source of Earth's water.