‘Smoking Gun’ Evidence Reveals World’s Oldest Meteorite Strike in Australia

Scientists have precisely dated what they describe as Earth’s oldest known impact crater, hidden within the ancient rocks of Western Australia’s Pilbara region. Their analysis places the meteorite strike at approximately 3.02 billion years ago.

The breakthrough comes after the site’s age became the subject of intense scientific disagreement. Two minerals altered during the same event now provide what researchers call the strongest evidence yet, although several geologists continue to challenge the interpretation.