Oldest Rocks on Earth: A Glimpse into Our Planet's Origins

Earth formed about 4.6 billion years ago during the Hadean eon, named after the Greek god of the underworld due to the extreme heat. By 4.35 billion years ago, the Earth cooled enough for the first crust and life to emerge. However, little is known about this time as rocks and minerals are rare, making it hard to reconstruct Earth's early history.

The oldest known rocks on Earth, dating back 4.3 billion years, are in northern Québec, offering insight into the planet's origins. Zircon minerals found in western Australia, dating to 4.4 billion years ago, provide clues about the Hadean environment and Earth's oldest crust.

Research suggests the zircons formed in magmas from ancient ocean sediments, indicating rapid cooling and early ocean formation. Studies propose that Earth's earliest crust was magnesium and iron-rich, with rocks in northern Québec being the only known vestige of the Hadean.

In 2017, a study confirmed the age of the rocks in northern Québec at 4.3 billion years, placing them in the Hadean eon. The research involved fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and independent dating methods, solidifying their status as the oldest rocks on Earth.

Studying these rocks offers a unique opportunity to understand Earth's early history, including the formation of continents and the evolution of a habitable environment.

According to the source: The Conversation.