Draft:Habitability of Earth

Planet Earth is the only celestial body known for having life on it. This is the result of several conditions and processes related to the planet, such as geology, climate, abundant liquid water, the atmosphere, the magnetosphere, and many others.

Being the only confirmed example of an habitable planet, the study of planetary habitability studies the likelihood of similar or analog processes to take place on other worlds, to assess their potential to host extraterrestrial life.

test

Geology
Geology studies the processes and features that shape the surface of the world. Although the effects of geology are insignificant in short terms, such as centuries, its effects on life are more clear in the long term.
 * Volcanism: Volcanic activity releases to the atmosphere materials trapped within Earth during its formation. This was the likely source of the prebiotic atmosphere and water on Earth, and perhaps even kickstarted the first abiogenesis process.
 * Plate tectonics: the gradual movements of the tectonic plates recycle the rocks from the surface and the interior of the planet. Although it is known as the cause of the Continental drift, it is significant for habitability because it helps to the long-term climate stability of the planet.
 * Magnetic field: The core of Earth generates a magnetic field. This field protects the atmosphere from the Solar wind and cosmic rays; without it much of the atmosphere would have stripped from the planet and lost to space.