The term "Hadean time" refers to the earliest era of Earth's history, from its formation about 4.6 billion years ago until the formation of the earliest rock record about 4 billion years ago. Synonyms for this term include the Hadean Eon, Hadean Era, and Hadean Period. During this time, the Earth was a molten and volatile place, bombarded by asteroids and comets, and trapped in a period of intense volcanic activity. It is a time of great interest to scientists as it represents the earliest stages of Earth's formation and provides insight into the conditions necessary for the emergence of life on our planet.