Earths' oldest geological material

10ClarionSt | 19:55 Wed 31st Aug 2005 | Science

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What is the Earths' oldest geological material? We were discussing this in the pub and I reckon it's Zircon. But does anyone actually know?

Sonic boom

Planet Mercury

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Clanad

You are correct, as far as we know. The oldest rocks identified so far, are a variety of Gneiss found in northern Canada, and elsewhere. These appear to be about 4.03 to 4.05 Ga. Zircon crystals, found in Australia appear to be nearly 4.3 Ga. But these crystals would have originated with still older rocks, which haven't been identified as of yet. That is amazing given the estimated age of the Earth is about 4.54 Ga... By the way, the estimated age of our Solar System is approxiamtely 4.58 Ga... with the estimated age of the Universe at 10 to 15 Ga.

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