New Study Challenges Long-Held Theory on Earth's Continent Formation

Research suggests early continents may have formed through crust melting rather than subduction.

University of Illinois Chicago's David Hernández Uribe used computer models to study ancient magmas.
Findings indicate Archaean zircons could form without subduction, contradicting prior research.
The study raises questions about the timeline of plate tectonics on Earth.
Results imply that Earth's unique tectonic activity is closely linked to the origin of life.
Published in Nature Geoscience, the study offers new insights into geological processes.