Researchers from Curtin University have uncovered the world’s oldest known meteorite impact crater in Western Australia, rewriting what we know about Earth’s early history.
This massive impact, which happened 3.5 billion years ago, could have played a key role in shaping our planet and even influencing the origins of life.
The study, published in Nature Communications, was conducted in the North Pole Dome area of the Pilbara region, about 40 kilometers west of Marble Bar.
Scientists found clear evidence of a giant meteorite strike that left behind a crater over 100 kilometers wide.
The discovery is groundbreaking because the previous oldest known impact crater was only 2.2 billion years old—making this one far older.
The researchers identified the impact site through special rock formations called “shatter cones.” These unique patterns form only when a meteorite slams into the Earth at extreme speeds. In this case, the space rock hit the planet at more than 36,000 km/h, releasing an enormous amount of energy.
Professor Tim Johnson, one of the study’s leaders, said this discovery challenges long-standing beliefs about Earth’s early history.
“Until now, geologists have largely ignored truly ancient craters because none had been found.
This study shows that ancient impacts played a much bigger role in shaping the planet than we previously thought.”
Co-lead researcher Professor Chris Kirkland explained that impact craters may have provided the right conditions for early life to develop. The heat and chemical reactions from meteorite strikes could have created hot water pools, which are ideal for microbial life to emerge and evolve.
Additionally, the powerful impact likely affected how Earth’s crust formed. The energy from the collision may have forced parts of the crust under each other or pushed magma from deep inside the planet toward the surface.
This could have contributed to the creation of cratons—large, stable landmasses that became the foundation for today’s continents.
This discovery is just the beginning. Scientists believe there may be more ancient impact craters waiting to be found, which could further change our understanding of Earth’s formation.
By studying these ancient events, researchers hope to learn more about how meteorites influenced our planet’s landscape and even the emergence of life itself.
This breakthrough reminds us that Earth’s early history is still full of mysteries waiting to be uncovered.
Source: Curtin University.
