In a remarkably short period, around 200 million years, the Earth transitioned from a molten state to a more solid form. During this time, the planet was continuously bombarded by leftover debris from its formation, shaping its early landscape and conditions.
This tumultuous phase set the foundation for the Earth as we know it today. In Bill Bryson's "A Short History of Nearly Everything," he explores these early planetary processes, emphasizing the rapid and chaotic nature of Earth's initial development.