As they make their way through the game's main story, Starfield players will eventually learn the truth about what happened to Earth. Once they do, they'll realize why the planet is now little more than a giant ball of sand, with just about every man-made structure having been wiped from the face of the planet along with all obvious signs of life.
Starfield: How to Visit the Empire State Building (New York Landmark)
The Empire State Building is just one of several Earth landmarks that players can visit in Starfield, though finding it can be a little tricky.