Catastrophe: Birth of The Planet

Scientific research suggests that evolution has been shaped by major catastrophes that have almost extinguished all life on earth. Tony Robinson investigates the history of natural disasters, putting a new perspective on our existence: that we are the product of catastrophe. Four and half billion years ago, in the chaos of the early solar system, a Mars-sized planet smashed into our young Earth with such force that this cataclysmic collision almost obliterated it completely. But it has since revealed itself to be the most defining moment in our planet's history. As a molten Earth reeled from the impact, hurling rock debris into space to gravitate around it, the Moon was formed. This orbiting moon in turn triggered an extraordinary sequence of events, enabling this unique planet to teem with life.