Gem found on Australian sheep ranch is the oldest known piece of Earth, scientists find

[n2doc]

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]

1. Fascinating find.

Another tweak to the puzzle.

[4dsc]

2. This is so cool.

Great find.

[2naSalit]

3. That's fascinating.

Wonder if the rancher is looking for more of it. Probably make enough to retire in a hurry if he does.

[NBachers]

6. According to the article, it's only 200 by 400 microns- about the size of two hairs

"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]

8. Have to confess

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]

4. Can you imagine?

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]

13. Unless you have very good vision, you wouldn'y know it was there.

This thing is very small.

[bkanderson76]

5. Somebody oughta give Sarah Palin a call and clue her in....talk real slow.

[AnnieBW]

7. Creationists Heads Exploding

In 5... 4.... 3... 2... 1....

[MisterP]

9. since when do creationists worry about *new evidence*?

or old evidence? or philosophy? or theology? or the Bible? or

[Maedhros]

11. Nah, creationists don't believe in Uniformitarianism

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]

14. When I was a kid...

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]

10. How incredible!

[Aldo Leopold]

12. So interesting!

[Spitfire of ATJ]

15. In Vegas we see almost ALL of the layers....

[Theyletmeeatcake2]

16. Yeah,creationists may have got it right....

God created a 4.4 billion year old rock about 5000 years ago....he is a 'can do ' man!!!!

[Auntie Bush]

17. How can someone find something 2 hairs wide?

Did they see something blue and pick it up for examination?