Earth Statistics: Straight-Up Stats of Earth

Measurements

Earth’s radius is approximately 6,371 kilometers, making it the distance from its center to its surface. With a surface area of about 510,000,000 square kilometers and a volume of 1,000,000,000,000 cubic kilometers, Earth is a diverse and vast planet that supports a wide range of ecosystems and geological features.

Measurement	Value
Radius	6,371 km
Surface Area	510,000,000 km²
Volume	1,000,000,000,000 km³

Rotation

Earth has a rotational speed that causes it to spin at approximately 1,600 kilometers per hour, shaping our day and night cycle. The length of an Earth day is approximately 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds, during which the planet completes one full rotation on its axis.

Rotation	Value
Earth spin	1,600 km/hr
Length of Day	23h 56min 4sec

Age

Earth is estimated to be around 4.54 billion years old, based on scientific evidence and dating methods. The Earth’s age represents the long and complex history of our planet, including the formation of continents, the evolution of life, and the development of its geological features over billions of years.

Age	Value
Earth’s Age	4.54 billion ± 0.05 years old

Distance

The Earth is about 149.6 million kilometers away from the Sun, which is essential for maintaining the habitable conditions on our planet. In contrast, the Moon is much closer, at an average distance of approximately 384,400 kilometers from Earth, influencing tides and lunar phases and serving as a significant celestial neighbor.

Distance	Value
To the Moon	384,400 km
To the Sun	149,600,000 km

Water

Water covers approximately 70% of Earth’s surface. This supports life and shapes our climate. Of this vast water supply, about 97% is saltwater found in the oceans, while only 3% is freshwater, which includes water in lakes, rivers, glaciers, and underground aquifers, making it a precious resource for humans and ecosystems.

Water Type	Value
Saltwater	97%
Freshwater	3%

Layers

Earth’s structure comprises three main layers: the crust, mantle, and core. The crust, which is the Earth’s outermost layer, ranges from 0 to 35 kilometers in depth, while the mantle extends from 35 to 2,890 kilometers. At the Earth’s center lies the core, reaching depths of 2,890 to 6,360 kilometers. These layers have distinct compositions and properties that influence geological processes and the planet’s overall behavior.

Layer	Value
Crust	0-35 km
Mantle	35-2,890 km
Core	2,890-6,360 km

Temperature

Earth’s core, located deep within the planet, has a scorching temperature of around 5,500 degrees Celsius, primarily due to the heat generated by radioactive decay and residual heat from its formation.

In contrast, the surface temperature of Earth can vary widely, with extremes reaching as low as -88 degrees Celsius in Antarctica and as high as 58 degrees Celsius in some desert regions, reflecting the planet’s diverse climates and environments.

Temperature	Value
Core temperature	5,500°C
Surface Temperature	-88 to 58°C

Shape

Earth’s semi-major axis is approximately 6,378,137.0 meters. This represents the equatorial radius or the longest distance from the Earth’s center to its surface. In contrast, the semi-minor axis measures around 6,356,752.3 meters, representing the polar radius. The semi-minor axis is slightly smaller due to the planet’s oblate spheroid shape.