Research
Some of the oldest rocks ever discovered shed light on Earth's early history
Phys.org ·
The Brief
- Researchers report some of the oldest known rocks on Earth, dating to about 3.95 billion years, found in northern China.
- Earth is estimated to be about 4.5 billion years old, and rocks from its earliest period are extremely rare.
- The find is presented as shedding light on Earth's early history.
Why it matters
Rocks from the earliest part of Earth's history are rare, so new dated samples give geoscientists direct material for testing ideas about the planet's early conditions.
Who’s affected
- geologists and planetary scientists
- researchers studying Earth's early history
- #geology
- #earth history
- #rocks
- #china
- #geochronology
Earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old, according to estimates. However, rocks dating back to the planet's earliest days are extremely rare. Hence the excitement over the discovery in northern China of some of the oldest known rocks on Earth, dating back 3.95 billion years…
Timeline
Earth News article on the discovery published
Earth News - Earth Science News, Earth Science, Climate Change
Some of the oldest rocks ever discovered shed light on Earth's early history