Researchers discovered signs of earthquakes in 3.3 billion-year-old rocks from the Barberton Greenstone Belt in southern Africa. These rocks bear striking similarities to much younger rocks in New Zealand, which have experienced earthquake activity. The Barberton Greenstone Belt provides one of the most comprehensive geological records for Earth between 3.2 billion and 3.6 billion years ago, offering crucial information about the early Earth’s crust and tectonic processes.
Plate Tectonics and Early Earth’s Earthquakes
The discovery of these ancient earthquakes supports the theory of plate tectonics, which describes Earth’s crust as divided into large plates that glide across the mantle. The energy released in these earthquakes is immense, capable of shaking entire regions. Understanding the mechanics of these early earthquakes helps scientists piece together the intricate puzzle of how plate tectonics emerged and evolved over billions of years.