Evidence that early Earth was not a complete hell

Until recently, geologists have sincerely believed that our planet is in the early stages of the development was a place totally unsuitable for living, a place where the raging oceans magmy



The popular image of the Earth as previously magma flooded the world, was another blow. New research shows that the first 500 million years of the planet could be remarkably similar to what we see today, including the existence of oceans, continents and crustal plates. What some 30 years ago, most geologists readily agreed to the fact that conditions on the planet in the early period were hostile to all life, which is why it is called "gadeysky period." This name he received in honor of Hades (aka - Hades), the Greek god of the underworld. A small number of rock formations, left over from the era, allowed the scientists to suggest that the world then was hellishly hot and under heavy bombardment by asteroids formed any breed quickly melted.

But with the discovery of zirconium silicate crystals, which are more than 4 billion years old, it began to emerge completely new picture. It turned out that in the history of the Earth was young and cool enough periods, so that it could form the earth's crust, and it, in turn, could appear water.

So today, there are two points of view. First: our planet gadeysky period was remarkably similar to what we see today. Second, our planet at that time was quite a hell of a place in which there is the most extreme geological conditions. To confirm the second representation of the planet, some geologists often cite the example of Iceland, because in this region formed the crust of solidified basaltic magma. But in fact, for a long time no one has investigated the Icelandic zirconium silicate, and have never compared it with samples of which more than 4 billion years.

Thanks to the efforts of geologists, this situation has changed. The analysis of the Icelandic crystals of zirconium silicate showed that they originated in the hot melt much more than crystals, with whom they were compared. Water on the surface of the planet is really a very important role in the formation of crystals of zirconium silicate, but in the case of the Icelandic crystals, this water was very hot, because it cooperated with the primary rocks. In other words, Iceland is no longer considered magmatic model gadeyskogo period and zirconium silicate analysis clearly confirms this. It also says that you need a new serious study that would clarify the situation arose.

via factroom.ru