Science
Related: About this forumGem found on Australian sheep ranch is the oldest known piece of Earth, scientists find
Washington: To put it mildly, this is one gem of a gem.
Scientists using two different age-determining techniques have shown that a tiny zircon crystal found on a sheep ranch in Western Australia is the oldest known piece of our planet, dating to 4.4 billion years ago.
Writing in the journal Nature Geoscience on Sunday, the researchers said the discovery indicates that Earth's crust formed relatively soon after the planet formed and that the little gem was a remnant of it.
John Valley, a University of Wisconsin geoscience professor who led the research, said the findings suggest that the early Earth was not as harsh a place as many scientists have thought.
To determine the age of the zircon fragment, the scientists first used a widely accepted dating technique based on determining the radioactive decay of uranium to lead in a mineral sample.
more
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/gem-found-on-australian-sheep-ranch-is-the-oldest-known-piece-of-earth-scientists-find-20140224-hvdkd.html
defacto7
(13,485 posts)Another tweak to the puzzle.
4dsc
(5,787 posts)Great find.
2naSalit
(86,900 posts)Wonder if the rancher is looking for more of it. Probably make enough to retire in a hurry if he does.
NBachers
(17,170 posts)"Zircons can be large and very pretty. But the ones we work on are small and not especially attractive except to a geologist," Professor Valley said. "If you held it in the palm of your hand, if you have good eyesight you could see it without a magnifying glass."
I love learning about what the smart people are doing.
2naSalit
(86,900 posts)I didn't read the article, bookmarked it for later though. I might be thought of as an amateur rock-hound but I did take a few geology classes in college and audited a whole bunch more, like about 35crs!!! And I have a box of favorites I've found over decades that weighs more than I care to admit.
But I am still fascinated at the importance of this find, no matter the actual physical size.
Thanks for setting me straight on that. Though I still wonder if the landholder is out there looking anyway.
Stargazer09
(2,132 posts)Can you imagine how weirdly awesome it would be to hold that gem in your hand?
A little piece of newborn Earth. Incredible!
Thor_MN
(11,843 posts)This thing is very small.
bkanderson76
(266 posts)AnnieBW
(10,472 posts)In 5... 4.... 3... 2... 1....
MisterP
(23,730 posts)or old evidence? or philosophy? or theology? or the Bible? or
Maedhros
(10,007 posts)i.e. that the processes we observe today operated identically in the past.
Radioisotopic age dating relies on uniform Uranium-to-Lead decay rates over time. Creationists simply claim that the decay rates change over time, therefore the ages determined are wildly inaccurate.
theHandpuppet
(19,964 posts)I was taught in church that the Devil created fossils to confuse people and test their faith. Needless to say, this fostered my lifelong interest in paleontology.
Of course, they also told me that when a baby cried it was a sin, as the baby was only thinking of its own needs. Even my conservative and religious sister, who was maybe 9 at the time, thought that was nuts. Problems arose when we started to ask questions, upstart little squirts that we were.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Aldo Leopold
(685 posts)Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)Theyletmeeatcake2
(348 posts)God created a 4.4 billion year old rock about 5000 years ago....he is a 'can do ' man!!!!
Auntie Bush
(17,528 posts)Did they see something blue and pick it up for examination?