3.5 billion-year-old crater discovery reveals the history of ancient impact on Earth | Science and Environmental News
A crater discovery 350 million years ago: A groundbreaking discovery in the Pilbara region of Western Australia rewrites the history of the Earth’s impact as researchers from Curtin University and the Western Australian Geological Survey identified the world’s oldest meteorite-affected crater.
Dating back to 3.5 billion years, this ancient impact site is over a billion years older than the oldest craters before, it provides new insights into the early environment of Earth and the role of meteorite collisions in shaping our planet.
The cosmic collision that shapes the earth
The team identified the crater through a unique rock formation called the Broken Cone, a structure formed under enormous pressure during the impact of the meteorite. These formations were found 40 kilometers west of the marble pole, indicating that the meteorites hit the area at an astonishing 36,000 km/h, creating a crater of more than 100 kilometers.
The huge energy released by the impact causes global debris to spread debris, changing the surface of the earth and potentially affecting atmospheric and geological conditions.
Will the effects of meteorites help life?
Professor Chris Kirkland, Leading Fellow studybelieve that this ancient influence may play a crucial role in shaping the earth’s environment. The extreme heat and pressure of these collisions may cause thermal pools and hydrothermal systems, which are considered crucial for the emergence of microbial life.
Furthermore, these powerful effects may have led to the formation of the Earth’s crust, which in turn influences the development of the continent.
A new chapter in history of the earth’s influence
This discovery, published in Nature Communications, highlights the important role meteorites play in shaping our planet. This also raises the possibility that more ancient craters have not been discovered, waiting for further understanding of the growth time of Earth.
This breakthrough is a major step in understanding how celestial events affect our planet, urging further exploration of the Earth’s hidden geological past.
