The analysis of a tiny fragment of zircon (zircon is the oldest known terrestrial mineral) found in Australia has raised a little more light on the infancy of our planet.
The analysis of this mineral shows in particular that it took only 100 million years for the first granitic rocks form on Earth.
This fragment of zircon also reinforces the hypothesis that the Earth, which was in its first moments a sort of molten lava ocean has cooled early, allowing liquid water to exist there quickly, allowing oceans to form.
According to geochemist John Valley (University of Wisonsin-Madison, USA), lead author of the study, these analyzes support the hypothesis that the Earth has very quickly had a hydrosphere (hydrosphere means all areas of a planet where water is present), obviously prior -4.3 billion years. And more, these results also suggest that the conditions for the emergence of life were probably met shortly after this period.
Zircon fragment was discovered in the heart of the Jack Hills mountain range, located west of the Australian continent.
