In a groundbreaking discovery, geologists have identified what may be the oldest known asteroid impact site on Earth, located in Western Australia.
Based on unique geologic features observed in the region, researchers estimate that this asteroid struck approximately 3.57 billion years ago—far surpassing the age of the second-oldest known impact crater, which dates back only around 2 billion years.
The site in question is situated in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, an area rich in geological history. Scientists have identified specific formations, including shatter cones and pillow basalts, that suggest the region was the epicenter of a massive asteroid collision.
Additionally, a prominent dome-like structure at the center of the landscape supports the hypothesis that an impact event took place.
Geologist and co-author of the study, Tim Johnson, is convinced that the evidence overwhelmingly supports their conclusions. “So, when you form a really big crater, the middle bit forces its way back to the surface so you get a dome structure,” he explained.
The Earth itself formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago, and during its early history, known as the Archean Eon, asteroid and meteorite impacts were relatively rare compared to later periods. This makes the identification of an impact site from 3.57 billion years ago particularly significant, as little is known about the planetary events that shaped Earth’s formation during this time.
According to ABC News Australia, Johnson and his team first put forth their controversial hypothesis three years ago, suggesting that a massive impact created the 250,000 square kilometer Pilbara Craton.
The latest research builds upon this theory, offering physical evidence to support their claim. If confirmed, this impact event could rival the asteroid collision that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs in terms of its magnitude and planetary consequences.
Today, the only visible remnants of this colossal impact event are found in the form of a 35-mile-wide dome. Johnson and his team believe that the conditions created by the impact may have even played a role in the emergence of early life on Earth.
“We think those [sort of] domes are possibly the likely places where life would have taken a foothold in the Pilbara and elsewhere,” Johnson stated.
This theory aligns with the idea that asteroid impacts may have contributed to creating conditions suitable for life by introducing key elements or triggering geological changes that promoted biological development.
To support their argument, the researchers presented several lines of evidence, including the presence of shatter cones. These geological formations, which resemble upside-down badminton shuttlecocks, are considered a telltale sign of an extraterrestrial impact.
“So, upward facing cones with delicate feathery-like features,” Johnson described. “The only way you can form those in natural rocks is from a large meteorite impact.”
Additionally, the team identified pillow basalts, a type of rock formation that likely resulted from lava flowing underwater after the impact event. The presence of these formations, which overlay the shatter cones, provides crucial dating evidence, leading researchers to the precise estimate of 3.57 billion years.
Despite the compelling findings, not all scientists are convinced that this discovery significantly alters our understanding of Earth’s geological evolution. Some remain skeptical about the broader implications of the impact, arguing that more research is necessary to determine its role in shaping the planet’s structure.
In response, Johnson and his colleagues are employing a variety of advanced analytical tools to further investigate the composition of the shatter cones and strengthen their case.
The study offers a fascinating glimpse into Earth’s distant past, providing insights that could also inform our understanding of other planetary bodies, such as Mars.
As research continues, scientists hope to uncover even more evidence about how massive impact events influenced the early evolution of our planet and possibly contributed to the origins of life.
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