In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers in Western Australia’s Pilbara region have identified the world’s oldest known meteorite impact crater, pushing the previous record back by over a billion years. The newly found crater, estimated to be around 3.47 billion years old, provides crucial insights into early Earth’s geological history and potentially the origins of life on the planet.
The crater, spanning at least 100 kilometers, was created by a massive meteorite impact when Earth was largely covered by water. The space rock struck the planet at a staggering speed of 36,000 km/h, scattering debris across the globe and leaving behind telltale signs of shock waves in the surrounding rocks. Despite the absence of a fully intact crater due to erosion over billions of years, the discovery of unique rock formations, known as shatter cones, confirmed the ancient impact event.
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Lead researcher Chris Kirkland from Curtin University highlighted the significance of this find, describing it as a major breakthrough in understanding the conditions of early Earth. Meteorite impacts like this one could have fostered environments that were conducive to the development of microbial life, such as hot water pools formed by the collision.
This discovery not only rewrites the timeline of Earth’s meteorite impacts but also reinforces theories that such events played a critical role in the formation of Earth’s first continents. Additionally, the findings offer potential insights into the search for life on other planets, such as Mars, where similar impact craters may have shaped conditions for life.
