Why Are Earth's Oldest Rocks Younger Than Mars's?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kessler
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Rocks
Click For Summary
Rocks on Earth are not found to be as old as 4.5 billion years due to geological processes such as weathering, erosion, and plate tectonics, which continuously recycle the Earth's crust. Over billions of years, rocks can break down into sand, dirt, or dust, or they may melt and be transformed into other rock types. In contrast, Mars has a relatively inactive geological history, resulting in a surface that has remained largely unchanged for millions of years, with most rocks dating back at least 3 million years. This stability allows for the preservation of older rock formations on Mars compared to Earth.
Kessler
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Having trouble with some homework. Why are there no rocks found as old as Earth is (apx. 4.5bil yrs)? Why are most rocks on Mars at least 3mil yrs old?
 
Earth sciences news on Phys.org
stuff happens
rocks doNOT just sit there
they turn to sand/dirt/dust over 4.5 B Y
melt or get buryed and pressed into other forms
 
Weathering and plate techtonics
There isn't much of Earth's surface that has been surface for 4Billion years.
Mars is relatively inactive, the surface has largely always been the surface.
 

Thread 'Mag 7.6 - 73 km ENE of Misawa, Japan, tsunami warning issued'

M 7.6 - 73 km ENE of Misawa, Japan https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000rtdt/executive 2025-12-08 14:15:11 (UTC) 40.960°N 142.185°E 53.1 km depth It was however fairly deep (53.1 km depth) as compared to the Great Tohoku earthquake in which the sea floor was displaced. I don't believe a tsunami would be significant. https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000rtdt/region-info
View full post »

Similar threads

The Oldest Rock on Earth?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Mantle Rock Drilled Up in Cores
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Missing Water on Mars: Hydrated Crust Minerals May Explain
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
Mars had a Great Oxygenation Event, just like Earth did.
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Rock on Mars possibly indicating Life
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
5K
Why do I keep finding more new rocks in my garden year after year?
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
16K
Assistance with a rock identification 2 (southwest part of the U.S.)
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Tintina fault (Yukon, Alaska, US and Canada) becoming more active?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
563
Iridium Question -- Why is Iridium plentiful in space rocks but scarce on Earth?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Deep Martian Geology: Signs of Plate Tectonics & Dynamo?
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K