Which is the oldest known rock on Earth?
Quick Answer
The oldest widely accepted terrestrial rocks are the Acasta Gneiss in Canada, at about 4.03 billion years old. Some individual crystals found in Australia are even older, around 4.4 billion years.
The Full Story
The Acasta Gneiss, found in the Northwest Territories of Canada, is among the oldest known rock formations on Earth, with ages around 4.03 billion years. It provides a rare window into Earth’s earliest crust, formed not long after the planet itself. Even older than the rock are tiny zircon crystals from the Jack Hills in Western Australia, dated to about 4.4 billion years old. These ancient materials help geologists understand the conditions on the early Earth.
Key Facts
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