Research conducted from geochemists and presented at the Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference, in California, revealed a startling fact. The Earth and Moon are older than expected, reportedly 60 million years older. The researchers discussed xenon isotopes, and stated it was due to the isotopes the age of the planet and its lunar partner are older, while not significantly, a lot can happen in 60 million years. Due to the fact the Earth has undergone significant changes, and much of the original clues of Earth’s age has been destroyed over time, figuring out the exact age is a continued science project.
Researchers Guillaume Avice and Bernard Marty, reviewed quartz samples from Australia and South Africa. The Australian sample dated approximately 2.7 billion years ago, and the South African sample dated back 3.4 billion years.
The researchers compared the xenon gas within the reflective to the xenon today. With varying techniques implemented, the researchers advised the impact that formed the moon, happened 60 million years prior to original consideration. The researchers confirmed while an exact age of the Earth cannot be given, the research shows the planet is still older than previously recorded.
Having access to the “ancient samples” provided the researchers new data input, and allowed them to “refine the measurement.”
The researchers are thrilled with such a breakthrough. With a solar system nearly 4.6 billion years old, scientists have an uphill battle determining the exact age of the Earth, let alone the Moon. The creation of the atmosphere is guessed at around 100 million years after the solar system, but with the newest study, it can place the creation closer to 40 million years after the solar system was created.
The researchers share with the process of this change, comes with it, an understanding and need to analyze further involvement, the birth of the Moon, solar system and the formation of planets.
by: Paul Rivera
Study Presentation Source:
03g: Evolution of the Terrestrial Volatile Budget Through Magma Oceans, Giant Impacts, the Late Veneer and Subsequent Earth History
Convenors: Bernard Marty, Marc Hirschmann , Radjeep Dasgupta
Keynote: Hidenori Genda (Tokyo Institute of Technology)
