Earth’s continents appeared in places where giant meteorites fell, which was common during the first billion years of our planet’s history.
Australian scientists have provided the most convincing evidence that the continents on Earth were formed as a result of giant meteorite impacts. Phys.
According to Tim Johnson of Curtin University, the hypothesis that the continents were originally formed at giant meteorite impact sites has been around for decades. But there was no clear evidence for this theory before the new study.
“Our work is focused on the study of oxygen isotopes in zircon crystals. And we found traces of a downward process that begins with the melting of rocks near the surface of the earth and goes further into the interior of the planet . This geological process corresponds to the impact of the impacts of giant meteorites,” he said.
In doing so, the scientists say, the study provides the first solid evidence that the processes that eventually formed the continents began with giant meteorite impacts similar to those that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. , but they occurred in the first billion years of Earth’s history. .
At the same time, the researchers noted that the evolution of the continents on the planet continues.
“Most of the Earth’s biomass is concentrated in the continents, all people live here, and almost all the main mineral deposits are located here. Among them are deposits of lithium, tin, nickel, which are necessary to create of “green” technologies. These deposits are the end result of geological a process called the differentiation of the earth’s crust. This process only started from the moment the continents were formed,” added Johnson.
It was previously reported that on Friday, August 12, a potentially dangerous large asteroid will approach Earth.
The earth began to spin faster
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Source: korrespondent
