Geologists have discovered tiny bits of molten rock that are several billion years old.
According to Live Science, Australian scientists have announced a new study that claims to have found rock fragments that are evidence of the oldest meteorite impact on our planet.
in 24News Breaker. Technology emerged telegraph channel. Subscribe so you don’t miss the latest and exciting news from the world of science!
Australian scientists announced their discovery last week. Geologists believe they have found molten rock formed by the fall of a large meteorite 3.48 billion years ago. Thus, today this is the earliest evidence of a space rock falling to Earth.
According to scientists, billions of years ago a large meteorite exploded in the Earth’s atmosphere, and its fragments fell to the surface, which led to the melting of ancient rocks discovered in Australia. After the impact, the rocks cooled and hardened into tiny pinhead-sized balls that had been hidden underground for billions of years.
Prior to this discovery, the earliest evidence of a meteorite hitting Earth were small balls estimated at 3.47 billion years old found in Australia and fragments from South Africa that were 3.45 billion years old.
According to Chris Yakimchuk of the University of Waterloo in Canada, who was involved in the new study, the new data looks very strong, although more analysis is needed.
Based on the analysis of isotopes, that is, versions of the same chemical element, Australian geologists were able to determine the age of ancient rocks formed by a meteorite impact 3.48 billion years ago.
After studying the chemical composition, Australian scientists came to the conclusion that the discovered ancient balls were definitely subject to extraterrestrial influence. They contained elements of the platinum group, such as iridium, and were much more abundant than is found in ordinary terrestrial rocks. In addition, the scientists found the amount of osmium isotopes typical for most meteorites. The shape and structure of the pieces found showed that they were formed as a result of the impact of a large meteorite fragment.
According to Yakimchuk, it is very difficult to find evidence of meteorites falling to Earth in the distant past, and such studies often cause controversy among scientists. Due to the movement of the lithosphere plates and the erosion of the earth’s crust, traces of the fall of large meteorites, such as impact craters, are often lost. But evidence of such effects of space rocks on the Earth’s surface can be found with the help of the small balls above, which emerged after the collision and were thrown from the crater.
The authors of the new study continue to examine rocks with meteorite fall traces to gain more data that can confirm the accuracy of their results. According to scientists, thanks to such studies, it is possible to reveal many secrets about the geological history of the Earth.
Focus According to scientists, he has already written that the probability of a collision between Earth and the Doomsday asteroid has tripled. NASA warns that an asteroid of this size could “blow up part of Earth’s atmosphere” and inevitably lead to a mass extinction.
Moreover Focus He wrote that a new study has proven that meteorites actually contain very little water and therefore cannot cause the formation of rivers and oceans on Earth.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.