What's Happening?
A new study conducted by researchers from the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, along with international colleagues, has revealed that subduction and continental crust formation on Earth may have begun hundreds of millions of years earlier than previously believed. Published in Nature Communications, the study challenges the prevailing theory that Earth was locked in a 'stagnant lid' tectonic regime during the Hadean Eon, which spanned from 4.6 to 4.0 billion years ago. The research team used innovative analytical techniques to measure strontium isotopes and trace elements in melt inclusions preserved within ancient olivine crystals, suggesting a more active early Earth.
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Why It's Important?
This discovery has significant implications for understanding Earth's geological history and the processes that shaped its development. By suggesting that subduction and continental crust formation were active much earlier, the study provides new insights into the dynamics of early Earth and the evolution of its tectonic activity. This could lead to a reevaluation of geological models and theories, impacting fields such as geoscience, paleontology, and climate science. The findings may also influence how scientists interpret the formation of other planetary bodies and their tectonic activities.
