The study also provides a new approach to solving one of the biggest enduring scientific mysteries: when did plate tectonics begin?

had been used as evidence to support the theory that plate tectonics started nearly as soon as Earth had solid ground — roughly 4 billion years ago. "That's probably a flawed argument now ...

In a new paper published in Nature today, colleagues and I reveal secrets of Earth’s crust 4.5 billion years ago. In the process, we also provide a new way to approach one of the biggest ...

As indirect estimates of the time of the SPA impact range widely from 4.26 to 4.35 billion years ago, planetary scientists have long waited to get their hands on direct evidence--rock samples from ...

Researchers discover Earth's first crust, formed 4.5 billion years ago, had chemical features similar to modern continental crust. (photo credit: Tanya Kalian. Via Shutterstock) A study published ...

[Xinhua] BEIJING - Based on research on lunar samples retrieved by Chang'e-6 mission, a team of Chinese scientists confirmed that the oldest and largest impact crater on the moon, the South ...