New Study Unveils How Ancient Weathering Shaped Earth's Stable Continents

Researchers reveal that subaerial weathering processes were crucial in stabilizing continental crust billions of years ago, altering previous theories of landmass formation.

• The study by Penn State scientists suggests that the exposure of fresh rock to weathering around 3 billion years ago initiated crucial geological processes.
• These processes concentrated heat-producing elements like uranium in the shallow crust, which allowed deeper layers to cool and solidify.
• This cooling and solidification contributed to the formation of cratons, deep underground structures that help keep continents stable.
• Cratons, acting like a keel for continents, maintain landmasses at or near sea level, supporting life and geological stability over billions of years.
• Future research may involve drilling into ancient craton sites to further test and refine these groundbreaking findings.

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