Curtin University researchers have discovered the world’s oldest known meteorite impact crater, which challenges our understanding of Earth’s origins and history. The team investigated rock layers at North Pole Dome in Western Australia’s Pilbara region and found evidence of a massive impact 3.5 billion years ago.
The discovery is significant as it redefines previous assumptions about Earth’s ancient history. The oldest known impact crater was previously thought to be 2.2 billion years old, but this new find is by far the oldest known crater on Earth.
Researchers identified the crater using ‘shatter cones’, distinctive rock formations formed only under intense meteorite pressure. These cones were created when a meteorite struck the area at speeds of over 36,000km/h, resulting in a massive crater more than 100km wide that would have sent debris flying across the globe.
The study provides crucial insights into Earth’s impact history and suggests that many other ancient craters may be discovered over time. The discovery sheds light on how meteorites shaped Earth’s early environment and may have played a role in shaping early Earth’s crust and the formation of large landmasses, known as cratons.
Source: https://www.curtin.edu.au/news/media-release/worlds-oldest-impact-crater-found-rewriting-earths-ancient-history