The Ancient Story Locked in Crystals
Scientists have uncovered mind-blowing evidence about our planet’s early days by studying 3.3-billion-year-old crystals. These tiny geological time capsules are offering fresh insights into the origins of subduction—the powerful process that drives Earth’s ever-shifting tectonic plates. The findings shed light on the mysterious Hadean Eon, a period from 4.6 to 4.0 billion years ago, which marked the planet’s tumultuous birth and a giant collision with a Mars-sized body.
Piecing Together Earth’s Hidden History
These ancient crystals act as tiny witnesses to Earth’s earliest geological drama. By analyzing their composition, researchers are unlocking clues about when subduction first began—an event that would shape continents, mountains, and even life itself. It’s like Earth kept receipts for its wildest parties, and scientists finally found the box!
What’s next? Maybe we’ll find out that Earth’s favorite color was magma red. But jokes aside, this research inspires awe at the planet’s dynamic past and our ability to unravel its secrets, one crystal at a time.
Sources:
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