Earth's Oldest Impact Crater Identified

[Ophiolite]

TL;DR Summary

Precise radiometric age establishes Yarrabubba, Western Australia, as Earth’s oldest recognised
meteorite impact structure.

The Yarrabubba impact structure in Australia was known to be old, but until now no precise date was available. Researchers have determined its age as 2229 +/- 5 Ma, which makes it the oldest yet recognised. The authors of the paper note that "While the Yarrabubba structure . . . . represents the Earth’s oldest dated impact crater, its coincidence with termination of Palaeoproterozoic glacial conditions prompts further consideration of the ability of meteorite impacts to trigger climate change. "

More details on the BBC website and the Nature paper.

 

[davenn]

Summary:: Precise radiometric age establishes Yarrabubba, Western Australia, as Earth’s oldest recognised
meteorite impact structure. ......

thanks for that ... great info