Elise Cutts: The ginormous collision that tilted our planet

The ginormous collision that tilted our planet

4.5 billion years ago, Earth was struck by a rock the size of Mars flying 9 kilometers a second. The force of this collision temporarily turned Earth’s surface into an ocean of molten magma. Today, some scientists call this cosmic crash the Big Whack, and we’re still dealing with the impacts of this impact. Elise Cutts explores the pivotal role Earth’s obliquity plays in our planet's processes. [Directed by Igor Ćorić, Artrake Studio, narrated by Bethany Cutmore Scott, music by Cem Misirlioglu].

A colossal collision billions of years ago knocked Earth off its axis, gifting our planet a 23.5-degree tilt. This subtle angle, kept steady by the moon’s gravitational pull, is what gives rise to the cycle of seasons. Even minor changes in this tilt have triggered ice ages and shaped the planet’s climate. Without it, Earth could freeze over, losing the balance that makes life as we know it possible.

Earth’s Tilt Is the Hidden Engine Behind Life’s Rhythms

Earth’s unique tilt was born from a colossal impact 4.5 billion years ago, when a Mars-sized rock struck our young planet and set it spinning at an angle. This seemingly small tilt—23.5 degrees—drives the seasons, shapes climate patterns, and keeps Earth habitable for life as we know it. Even minor shifts in tilt have triggered ice ages, while losing it entirely could plunge our planet into a permanent deep freeze. The moon’s gravitational pull helps stabilize this delicate balance, making life on Earth possible.