<![CDATA[According to scientists, a piece of zircon crystal found on an Australian sheep station is the oldest piece of the planet. The findings have changed the perspective on how long ago the earth’s crust was formed and the length of time it took for the life forms to begin on earth.
Australia is known for having many sheep stations, as sheep rearing is one of their most profitable businesses. But sheep rearing was not what scientists had in mind when they found a zircon crystal on one of these stations in the Jack Hills Region. When examined the crystal is said to be over 4.4 billion years old prompting scientists to believe that the earth’s crust is older than was previously thought. They used two methods of testing to make certain that they were double sure and both tests arrived at the same conclusions.
The first testing method used by the scientists is one that is widely accepted. According to the Guardian, the crystal is tested base on determining the radioactive decay of uranium to lead in a mineral sample. Some scientists however, believe that because over time lead atoms within the crystals might have become unstable, this testing method might give an improper date and is therefore not entirely reliable. This prompted them to use a superior technique to test the credibility of the first outcome. A technique known as the atom-probe tomography was used. This method is similar to the field ion microscopy method and involves evaporating part of the specimen and examining individual atoms. The method confirmed the original findings, verifying that the earth’s crust appeared only about 160 million years after the solar system was formed.
Oldest Piece of the Earth Found in Australia
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