Scientists have discovered what is believed to be the oldest-known impact crater on Earth, located in Western Australia’s ancient Pilbara region. The crater, estimated to be 3.47 billion years old, could have been as wide as 100 kilometers.
The discovery was made by a team of geologists from Curtin University, who found evidence of a massive meteorite impact that formed the North Pole Dome, a raised area about 35 kilometers in diameter. The researchers believe that the dome was uplifted by the impact and may be a key site for understanding the early origins of life on Earth.
The crater is significant because it provides new insights into Earth’s history and the formation of the planet. Geologist Tim Johnson said that the discovery of shatter cones, which are unique structures formed from meteorite impacts, at the North Pole Dome was a key finding.
“We think those [sort of] domes are possibly the likely places where life would have taken a foothold in the Pilbara and elsewhere,” Dr. Johnson explained.
The discovery also provides new evidence for the role of meteorite impacts on early Earth. The presence of spherules, cooled molten droplets, was found at the site, which suggests that the impact may have had global effects.
While some scientists questioned the discovery’s conclusions, citing a lack of solid evidence for the size and significance of the crater, others hailed it as an exciting find.
Further studies are planned to map out the shatter cones and take samples for analysis. The researchers hope that their discovery will inspire further research into Earth’s history and the early origins of life on the planet.
Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-03-06/oldest-known-crater-pilbara-geology-3-47-billion-years-old/105019606