Scientists have discovered the oldest impact crater on Earth, dating back 3.5 billion years, which challenges our understanding of the planet’s history and origins of life. The discovery of this ancient crater, located in Western Australia, is significant because it suggests that large impacts were more common in the early solar system than previously thought.
The crater was identified through “shatter cones,” a unique feature formed by the intense pressure of a meteorite strike. This finding provides crucial insight into Earth’s impact history and may lead to the discovery of other ancient craters, shedding new light on how life began on our planet.
According to researchers, uncovering this impact and more like it can reveal important information about the environments in which early life thrived. The crater’s formation is believed to have created conditions conducive to microbial life, such as hot water pools. Additionally, the massive energy released during the impact may have played a role in shaping early Earth’s crust, contributing to the formation of cratons and eventually leading to the creation of continents.
This groundbreaking discovery has been published in the journal Nature Communications and promises to revolutionize our understanding of Earth’s history and the origins of life on our planet.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/space/worlds-oldest-meteorite-crater-impact-life-b2710637.html