Oldest rocks in the world are in Canada scientists say
Scientists think they have found the oldest rocks on Earth.The ancient rocks were found in the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt, in Quebec in Canada, and for the last two decades scientists have been studying them.But they hadn't been able to agree on an accurate age for the rocks, until recently.Previously teams using two different dating methods had produced different ages for the rocks: 4.3 billion and 3.8 billion years old.But the latest study says the rocks are actually 4.16 billion years old!
How did scientists test the old rocks?
The scientists used both the techniques from previous tests, but focussed in on just one type of rock that made up the stripy stones. This type of stone is called metagabbro and is a rock that formed under huge heat and pressure inside the planet's crust billions of years ago.Both tests brought back the same result this time - the rock was 4.16 billion years old.The rocks are from one of the earliest periods on Earth, known as the Hadeon eon.The Earth was formed around 4.5 billion years ago and rocks from this time are an incredibly rare, as the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates mean that many have been melted and recycled.Jonathan O'Neil, who led the study in the Science journal said the rocks give a "unique window into our planet's earliest time to better understand how the first crust formed on Earth".He added that because some were formed through ancient seawater, they shed light on the first oceans and "help established the environment where life could have begun on Earth."
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The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Rock discovery offers fresh insights into planet's earliest history
A new study has identified rocks in Canada's Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt as approximately 4.16 billion years old, potentially making them the oldest rocks on Earth. This research resolves a long-standing scientific debate regarding the precise age of these streaked grey stones, bridging previous estimates of 4.3 billion and 3.8 billion years. Scientists employed two established dating techniques, which measure the decay of radioactive elements, to arrive at the refined age. The discovery significantly contributes to understanding Earth's earliest formation, offering insights into the planet's primordial state and the origins of life. The ancient rock formation is located on tribal Inukjuak lands, and the local Inuit community has restricted sampling due to past damage, seeking to collaborate on establishing a provincial park for protection and research.
BBC News
4 hours ago
- BBC News
Oldest rocks in the world are in Canada scientists say
Scientists think they have found the oldest rocks on ancient rocks were found in the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt, in Quebec in Canada, and for the last two decades scientists have been studying they hadn't been able to agree on an accurate age for the rocks, until teams using two different dating methods had produced different ages for the rocks: 4.3 billion and 3.8 billion years the latest study says the rocks are actually 4.16 billion years old! How did scientists test the old rocks? The scientists used both the techniques from previous tests, but focussed in on just one type of rock that made up the stripy stones. This type of stone is called metagabbro and is a rock that formed under huge heat and pressure inside the planet's crust billions of years tests brought back the same result this time - the rock was 4.16 billion years rocks are from one of the earliest periods on Earth, known as the Hadeon Earth was formed around 4.5 billion years ago and rocks from this time are an incredibly rare, as the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates mean that many have been melted and O'Neil, who led the study in the Science journal said the rocks give a "unique window into our planet's earliest time to better understand how the first crust formed on Earth".He added that because some were formed through ancient seawater, they shed light on the first oceans and "help established the environment where life could have begun on Earth."
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
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US general warns China is winning the military space race
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