Scientists have discovered what they believe to be the strongest evidence giant meteor impacts to date that the continents were formed by giant meteorite impacts during early Earth history.
The theory that continents originally formed at the sites of these impacts has been around for decades, but there has been little hard evidence to support it, until now, says Dr. Tim Johnson.
“By examining tiny crystals of the mineral zircon in rocks from the Pilbara Craton in Western Australia, which represents the best-preserved remnant of Earth’s ancient crust, we found evidence of these giant meteorite impacts,” said Dr Johnson.
The mineral deposits around the Pilbara, which are rich in iron, are some of the oldest on Earth and have previously been the discovery site for evidence of the oldest known life on earth.
The theory that continents originally formed at the sites of these impacts has been around for decades, but there has been little hard evidence to support it, until now, says Dr. Tim Johnson.
“By examining giant meteor impacts and tiny crystals of the mineral zircon in rocks from the Pilbara Craton in Western Australia, which represents the best-preserved remnant of Earth’s ancient crust, we found evidence of these giant meteorite impacts,” said Dr Johnson.
The mineral deposits around the Pilbara, which are rich in iron, are some of the oldest on Earth and have previously been the discovery site for evidence of the oldest known life on earth.
“Studying the composition of oxygen isotopes in these zircon crystals revealed a ‘top-down’ process that begins with rock melting near the surface and progresses deeper, consistent with the geological effect of meteor impacts.” giant meteorites,” explained Dr. Johnson.