4.16 Billion-Year-Old Rocks in Quebec’s Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt Identified as Earth’s Oldest in Science Study

Scientists have identified rocks in the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt, located in northeastern Quebec, Canada, that may be the oldest on Earth. These volcanic rock fragments have been dated to approximately 4.16 billion years old, placing them in the Hadean Eon, the earliest period of Earth's history. This discovery provides a rare glimpse into the planet's primordial crust and offers valuable insights into the chemical and structural state of the early Earth. The findings, published in the journal Science, settle a long-standing debate among geologists about the true age of these rocks and suggest they are remnants of Earth's original crust. The identification of these ancient rocks could help scientists better understand the geological history of the planet and the origins of life.