Geologists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt, a complex geological sequence dating back to 4.16 billion years ago. This find provides a rare window into Earth’s earliest times and offers crucial insights into the planet’s geologic history.
The rarity of Hadean-age rocks, which are over 4.03 billion years old, makes it difficult to understand the early stages of our planet’s formation. These ancient materials are often altered or destroyed due to ongoing tectonic processes. The Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt is a prime candidate for surviving Hadean-age crustal rocks.
If confirmed, this discovery would be significant as it would represent the oldest preserved rock sequence on Earth. This finding would provide valuable information about early Earth geology and potentially shed light on the emergence of life.
Source: https://www.sci.news/geology/hadean-nuvvuagittuq-greenstone-belt-14023.html