Chemical clues in zircon crystals suggest the rock in which they formed came into contact with fresh water 4 billion years ago, when Earth was thought to be covered in ocean.
A new analysis of ancient grains of crystal embedded in rock from the Australian outback suggests Earth had dry land and fresh water some 4 billion years ago — a time when scientists had thought the planet was completely covered in ocean. Chemical clues contained in the crystals revealed that the hot, molten rocks in which they originated came into contact with fresh water during the crystals’ formation, according to a study published Monday the journal Nature Geoscience.
What makes zircons particularly useful to geologists is that they incorporate a bit of uranium into their structure and scientists can pinpoint their age by measuring the radioactive decay of uranium ions. The oldest material of terrestrial origin was a zircon found in the Jack Hills formation dated to 4.4 billion years ago. “ is a unique mineral. It is highly resistant and doesn’t alter ,” Gamaleldien said. “It’s the only witness to the Hadean period.
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