New research at the University of Curtin revealed it. A massive meteorite hit Northwest of Scotland about 200 million years after what was believed. This is the meteorite that rewrites the story. The finding is published in Geology. Not only rewrite the geological history of Scotland. It also alters our understanding of the evolution of non -marine life on earth.
It was previously believed that it occurred 1,200 million years ago. But the impact created the Stac Fada Member, a layer of rock that contains vital clues about the old past of the earth. This includes how meteorite impacts could have influenced the environment and the life of the planet.
Fresh water formation
The main author is Professor Chris Kirkland, of the Frontier Institute of Geocientific Solutions of Curtin. He explained that the research team used tiny Circón crystals as geological “time capsules.” Thus they could date the impact in 990 million years.
«These microscopic crystals recorded the exact moment of impact. Some even became an incredibly weird mineral called Reidita. It is only formed under extreme pressures, ”said Professor Kirkland in a statement.
«This provided an irrefutable proof that the impact of a meteorite caused the stac fada deposit. When a meteorite impacts, partially restarts atomic watches within the Circón crystals. These ‘broken watches’ often cannot date. But we develop a model to rebuild when the disturbance occurred, confirming the impact in 990 million years ». Professor Kirkland explained that this impact occurred at a time similar to the emergence of some of the first fresh water eukaryotes. These are the ancestors of plants, animals and fungi.
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Meteorites that give life
«The revised dating suggests. These ways of life in Scotland appeared at a time similar to the impact of a meteorite ». This raises fascinating questions. The great impacts could have influenced the environmental conditions of ways that affected primitive ecosystems.
The impact crater has not yet been found. But this study collects new clues that could finally reveal its location. Why is it useful to track the meteorite that rewrites the story? It helps us explore its possible influence on the terrestrial environment and the expansion of life beyond the oceans.
