Scientists have long debated whether a rock sample from Canada is the world’s oldest or merely extremely old. The Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt, which is part of the planet’s crust, contains a unique fracture that was formed when magma from the mantle poured in around 4 billion years ago. Over time, most of the surrounding crust melted back into the mantle, leaving behind this small area.
A new analysis of radioactive isotopes has reignited the debate. The study suggests that the rock may be the oldest on Earth, with an age of approximately 4.3 billion years. This would mean it formed during the Hadean Aeon, a period when the planet was still in its early stages of formation.
The discovery is significant because it could provide new insights into the early history of our planet. Complete Hadean rocks would offer a unique window into this time period, potentially shedding light on geological mysteries such as the start of plate tectonics and the composition of the first oceans.
Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2485959-these-rocks-are-probably-the-last-remains-of-earths-early-crust