Curtin University researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery that could reshape our understanding of Earth’s early history, the origins of life, and the role meteorite impacts played in shaping our planet. Their study, published in Nature Communications, reveals the world’s oldest known meteorite impact crater, dating back an astonishing 3.5 billion years. This finding is far older than the previous record-holder, a 2.2-billion-year-old crater, and challenges long-held assumptions about the geological history of Earth.
The research team, from Curtin’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, focused their investigation on the North Pole Dome in the Pilbara Craton, a geologically significant area in Western Australia. They uncovered clear evidence of an ancient impact event that would have dramatically influenced the planet’s surface and possibly even contributed to conditions necessary for life. The discovery was made possible by identifying “shatter cones”, unique rock formations that only form under the extreme pressures caused by a meteorite strike.
Professor Tim Johnson, one of the study’s co-leads, emphasized the significance of this finding, noting that large impacts were common in the early solar system but had been largely overlooked in Earth’s geological record. The absence of truly ancient craters on Earth had led many geologists to assume that early meteorite impacts had little influence on the planet’s evolution. This new discovery, however, provides compelling evidence that these gigantic collisions played a fundamental role in shaping Earth’s crust and possibly even its biological development.
The impact event itself was colossal. Based on geological analysis, the meteorite that struck what is now Western Australia would have been traveling at speeds exceeding 36,000 kilometers per hour, delivering an unimaginable amount of energy upon impact. The resulting crater would have spanned more than 100 kilometers in diameter, making it a major planetary event that could have sent debris flying across the globe. This massive explosion would have had far-reaching consequences, potentially altering atmospheric conditions and influencing climate patterns on a global scale.
Co-lead author Professor Chris Kirkland explained that such massive impacts were not just destructive forces but could have been essential in fostering life on Earth. The high-energy collision would have generated immense heat, likely creating hydrothermal systems similar to those seen around modern volcanic vents and hot springs. These environments are considered some of the most promising locations for the emergence of microbial life, as they provide essential heat, minerals, and chemical energy needed to sustain early organisms.
The study also sheds light on how meteorite impacts influenced the formation of Earth’s crust. The force of the collision could have triggered subduction, a geological process in which one section of Earth’s crust is forced beneath another. This is a crucial mechanism in plate tectonics, which shapes continents and drives geological activity. Additionally, the impact might have caused magma from deep within the Earth’s mantle to rise toward the surface, further contributing to the formation of early cratons—stable landmasses that later became the foundation of modern continents.
Understanding ancient impact craters is crucial not just for reconstructing Earth’s history but also for gaining insights into the early conditions that led to life’s emergence. Previous studies have suggested that life on Earth may have originated in hydrothermal environments, and if meteorite impacts helped create such environments, they could have played a direct role in jumpstarting biological evolution. This raises exciting possibilities for studying impact craters on other planets, particularly Mars, where ancient craters could hold clues to past or even present microbial life.
One of the reasons such an ancient impact crater had never been found before is that Earth’s surface is constantly changing due to erosion, plate tectonics, and geological activity. Unlike the Moon, where impact craters remain preserved for billions of years, Earth’s surface is dynamic, and older geological features are often erased or buried. The fact that the North Pole Dome crater was preserved at all is remarkable and suggests that there may be many more ancient craters yet to be discovered.
This discovery is expected to ignite further exploration and investigation into Earth’s deep geological past. Scientists will likely search for more evidence of early meteorite impacts and their effects on planetary evolution. By analyzing similar regions and using advanced geological dating techniques, researchers hope to build a more comprehensive timeline of Earth’s impact history, ultimately refining our understanding of how meteorites influenced the planet’s development.
Beyond academic research, this study has potential implications for understanding Earth’s long-term stability and resilience to cosmic events. While modern Earth is well-protected from large asteroid impacts due to its atmosphere and active geological processes, ancient Earth was far more vulnerable. The findings highlight the importance of studying planetary defense mechanisms and monitoring near-Earth objects that could pose future threats.
The discovery of the world’s oldest known impact crater is a monumental achievement in geology and planetary science. It challenges previous assumptions about Earth’s early history, reinforces the idea that meteorites played a significant role in shaping the planet, and opens new avenues for research into the origins of life. As scientists continue to uncover the secrets hidden in Earth’s oldest rock formations, they may find even more evidence that cosmic events were not just catastrophic but were also instrumental in creating the conditions necessary for life to thrive.
More information: A Paleoarchaean impact crater in the Pilbara Craton, Western Australia, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57558-3. www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57558-3