A 4-Billion-Year-Old Piece of Earth's Crust Has Been Identified Beneath Australia

Scientists can use various clues to figure out what's under Earth's surface without having to dig

This technique has been used in a new study that shows that a piece of Earth's crust about the size of Ireland has been sitting under Western Australia for millions of years.

It may be able to give clues to how our planet went from not being a place to support life.

The researchers think that the huge expanse of crust influenced the formation of rocks as old materials were mixed with new, having first appeared as one of the planet's earliest Protocrust formations.

The timing of early crust formation and preservation can be found in many regions around the world.

The evolution of Earth is thought to have changed some 4 billion years ago as meteorite bombardment waned and life on Earth began.

The minerals were taken from sand samples from rivers and beaches in Western Australia.

Scientists can use the method to date the grains and see where they came from.

The team was able to see where the grains had originally eroded from and how the geology of the region had evolved over time.

The boundaries of the block will help scientists to chart out what else is hidden away under Earth's surface and how it might have evolved to be there.

Milo Barham says that the edge of the ancient piece of crust appears to define an important crustal boundary.

The future of sustainable resource exploration depends on recognizing ancient crustal remnants.

After 4 billion years, there isn't much left of Earth's original crust to study, which makes findings like this one all the more useful to experts.

It is difficult to map out the shifting of Earth's crust and hot mantle. Scientists are very interested in using evidence of interior movement and geology on the surface.

The results of the study described here could help scientists who are looking at other planets, for example, how these planets are formed, how their earliest crust is shaped, and how alien life may get established on them.

It is difficult to understand life's significance on Earth and our quest to find it on other planets, but it is important.

The research has been published.