Overview

• Researchers report in Science on June 26 that mafic intrusions in the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt date to 4.16 billion years, setting a firm lower bound on the belt’s age
• Two parallel isotope clocks—samarium-146 to neodymium-142 and samarium-147 to neodymium-143—yielded identical ancient ages and resolved earlier discrepancies
• The dated rocks are among the only known remnants of Earth’s Hadean crust, offering a rare window into early crust formation, ocean chemistry and tectonic processes
• Located on Inukjuak tribal land along Hudson Bay, the site has been closed to sampling after previous research left large chunks missing and pieces appearing for sale
• Local Inuit leaders and Pituvik Landholding Corp are advancing plans to create a provincial park that will protect the outcrop while allowing regulated scientific study under formal guidelines