How the Earth Was Made premiered as a 90-minute documentary special, narrated by Edward Herrmann, that aired on The History Channel on December 16, 2007, and focused on the geological history of Earth.

　　The television series premiered on February 10, 2009. Each 45-minute episode focuses on different geologic features and processes of the Earth. The first season, spanning 13 episodes, concluded on May 5, 2009. The second season premiered on November 24, 2009.