Latest news with #GreenstoneBelt
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists found what just might be Earth's oldest rocks
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. Researchers say they might have discovered the oldest rocks on Earth. The rocks in question are a belt of swirly, stripe-covered rocks found in the northeastern reaches of Canada. These rocks appear to contain some of the oldest minerals that we've ever catalogued. This outcropping of rocks is known as the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt, and new dating analysis of the belt say that it could be as old as 4.16 billion years. That's nearly as old as the estimated age of the Earth itself. And these findings suggest that the belt could be one of the best locations for digging deeper into understanding our planet's earliest years. But researchers haven't come to this conclusion easily. The Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt has been under scrutiny for over 15 years, geoscientists told Science Alert. Today's Top Deals Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Best Ring Video Doorbell deals Memorial Day security camera deals: Reolink's unbeatable sale has prices from $29.98 By confirming the age of these rocks, and that they might just be the oldest rocks on Earth, we're finally opening the door to new research possibilities. While there are likely other groups of rocks like this to be found elsewhere, the Earth's surface and crust are constantly in motion as tectonic forces meet with the weathering influences above. This creates a unique area for rocks and dirt to move and break down. As such, finding other places like the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt that are full of old and unique minerals is difficult. Places like this where the rocks have managed to survive the breakdown of time are extremely valuable for giving us insight into the past, which could hopefully one day help us determine where life on Earth originated from. The oldest rocks on Earth are especially helpful for scientists, as they contain Hadean minerals, which are minerals from Earth's first geological eon. This particular eon spans from the formation of Earth to just over 4 billion years ago. But dating the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt has been difficult because past attempts to date it returned inconsistent results, ranging from 2.7 billion years to 4.3 billion years. For this new study, which is published in Science, the researchers used two dating measurements on a type of rock known as metagabbro. Both tests returned the same results, suggesting that the researchers were on the right track. While they want to dive deeper into the analysis itself, the researchers say the minimum age of the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt is 4.16 billion years. More Top Deals Amazon gift card deals, offers & coupons 2025: Get $2,000+ free See the
The Independent
27-06-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Rock discovery offers fresh insights into planet's earliest history
A new study has identified rocks in Canada's Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt as approximately 4.16 billion years old, potentially making them the oldest rocks on Earth. This research resolves a long-standing scientific debate regarding the precise age of these streaked grey stones, bridging previous estimates of 4.3 billion and 3.8 billion years. Scientists employed two established dating techniques, which measure the decay of radioactive elements, to arrive at the refined age. The discovery significantly contributes to understanding Earth's earliest formation, offering insights into the planet's primordial state and the origins of life. The ancient rock formation is located on tribal Inukjuak lands, and the local Inuit community has restricted sampling due to past damage, seeking to collaborate on establishing a provincial park for protection and research.
Forbes
27-06-2025
- Science
- Forbes
New Study Confirms That The Oldest Rocks On Earth Are Canadians
Iron-rich chert from the Nuvvuagittuq Supracrustal Belt, Québec, Canada, containing tubular and ... More filamentous microfossils. A team of Canadian and French researchers has confirmed that Nunavik/Quebec in Northern Canada is home to the oldest known rocks on Earth, dating back over 4.16 billion years. The rocks of the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt, a rock formation preserved in a fold of the Canada shield, are believed to be over 4.3 billion years old, forming just 200 million years after Earth formed. They include the oldest known examples of sheeted dikes and pillow basalts. Such a succession of volcanic rocks is typically found in a spreading zone of a mid oceanic ridge, forming today Earth's oceanic crust. However, since first age estimates were published over 20 years ago, Various phases of tectonic deformation and chemical alteration makes it difficult to find pristine rock samples. There are also uncertainties involving the applied methods used at the time to date the rocks. In a new study, researchers sampled a new section of the greenstone belt, using modern dating methods they confirmed the high age of the entire formation. Samples were collected in 2017 near the municipality of Inukjuak, Nunavik, as part of Christian Sole's thesis, who completed a master's at the University of Ottawa in 2021. After preliminary analysis, additional work was carried out at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University, to confirm the age of the rocks. First age estimates were based on volcanic rocks — deposited as lava flows on the bottom of an ancient ocean — chemically altered as they came into contact with water. The researches focused on magmatic rocks, rocks crystallized before reaching the surface. Radioactive elements are trapped in the forming crystals, slowly decaying providing a natural timer for the rock's formation age. From left: Christian Sole, Professor Hanika Rizo and Professor Jonathan O'Neil collecting rock ... More samples. To establish the age of these rocks, the researchers combined petrology and geochemistry and applied two radiometric dating methods using different isotopes of the elements samarium and neodymium. The new dates 'gave exactly the same age,' says study author Jonathan O'Neil, University of Ottawa, in an interview to AP. The current study shows that dikes of magmatic rocks crossing these volcanic formations are 4.16 billion years old, which confirms that the volcanic rocks must be older, and thus, that this region of the Canadian north is indeed home to the oldest known rocks on Earth. 'Understanding these rocks is going back to the very origins of our planet. This allows us to better understand how the first continents were formed and to reconstruct the environment from which life could have emerged,' concludes O'Neil. The study,"Evidence for Hadean mafic intrusions in the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt, Canada," was published in the journal Science. Additional material and interviews provided by the University of Ottawa.
Washington Post
27-06-2025
- Science
- Washington Post
These Canadian rocks may be the oldest on Earth
NEW YORK — Scientists have identified what could be the oldest rocks on Earth from a rock formation in Canada . The Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt has long been known for its ancient rocks — plains of streaked gray stone on the eastern shore of Hudson Bay in Quebec. But researchers disagree on exactly how old they are.
Associated Press
27-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Kenorland Expands Exploration Portfolio in Ontario and into New Brunswick
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 27, 2025) - Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: KLD) (OTCQX: KLDCF) (FSE: 3WQ0) ('Kenorland' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce that it has acquired, through staking, 125,430 hectares of mineral claims within the Onaman-Tashota Greenstone Belt in Northern Ontario (the 'Kowkash Project') as well as 119,779 hectares of mineral claims located in Central New Brunswick (the 'Atlantic Project'). In addition, Kenorland has entered into a purchase and sale agreement, dated May 26, 2025 (the 'Purchase Agreement') with a private BC company pursuant to which Kenorland has purchased a 100% interest in 31,052 hectares of mineral claims adjacent to the Atlantic Project. Zach Flood, President and CEO of Kenorland Minerals, states, 'The recent additions in Ontario and New Brunswick continue the steady expansion of Kenorland's exploration portfolio into underexplored yet highly prospective regions of Canada. As demand for quality grassroots opportunities grows, we remain committed to applying our systematic approach to generate and advance new discoveries.' About the Kowkash Project Kenorland acquired the 125,430-hectare Kowkash Project in northwestern Ontario through map staking. The Project covers a prospective terrane with relatively low exploration maturity, largely concealed by glacial overburden. It covers a portion of the Onaman-Tashota Greenstone Belt in the Eastern Wabigoon Sub-province of the Archean Superior Province. This underexplored greenstone belt is composed of a sequence of metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks intruded by syn- to post-tectonic plutons. The project area is transected by major regional structures, including splays of the Tashota-Geraldton-Terrace Bay deformation zone, and is prospective for orogenic and volcanic hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) mineralisation styles hosting high-grade Au, Ag, Cu, and Zn. Historic showings in the area, including the Marshall Lake VHMS and Louanna orogenic showings, have identified significant alteration systems and mineralisation indicating a fertile geological environment. The Kowkash Project represents a compelling opportunity for discovery in one of Ontario's lesser-explored greenstone belts. The Company plans to complete a first-pass regional geochemical sampling program during the 2025 summer field season. Figure 1. Geological map illustrating Kowkash Project location in Ontario [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Figure 2. Kowkash Project location in Ontario [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: About the Atlantic Project In addition to the 31,052 hectares acquired through the Purchase Agreement, Kenorland acquired a further 119,779 contiguous hectares through map staking, bringing the total project area to 150,831 hectares. The Atlantic Project is situated within the northern Appalachian orogen of western New Brunswick, covering a highly prospective segment of the Gander and Dunnage zones-recognized for hosting a variety of gold and polymetallic deposits. The project area encompasses a diverse assemblage of Silurian to Devonian volcanic, volcaniclastic, and sedimentary rocks intruded by felsic to mafic plutons. This setting is prospective for epithermal, VHMS and intrusion related mineralisation styles hosting significant Au, Ag, Pb, Zn, and Cu. Key mineralised showings in the project area include the Williams Brook epithermal, Costigan Mountain epithermal, Sewell Brook VHMS, and Lewis Brook epithermal deposits. These occur within favorable structural corridors and lithologic contacts of the Tobique-Chaleur metallogenic belt, an emerging and active exploration district. The Atlantic Project area has seen limited historical work, presenting a unique opportunity for discovery through modern, systematic exploration approaches. Figure 3. Geological map illustrating the Atlantic Project location in New Brunswick [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Figure 4. Atlantic Project location in New Brunswick [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Terms of the Purchase Agreement Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company will acquire a 100% interest in the Atlantic Project through the issuance of common shares of the Company ('Shares') having a deemed value of $174,440.76. Additionally, the Company will grant a 0.5% net smelter return royalty applicable only to the mineral claims acquired under the Purchase Agreement. All Shares issuable pursuant to the Purchase Agreement will have a deemed issuance price equivalent to the market price of such Shares at the time of issuance. The Shares will also be subject to a four-month and one day resale restriction from the date of their issuance. The Purchase Agreement and the issuance of the Shares thereunder are subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Qualified Person Janek Wozniewski, (EGBC #172781, APEGS #77522, EGMB #48045, PGO #3824) a 'Qualified Person' under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release. About Kenorland Minerals Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: KLD) is a well-financed mineral exploration company focused on project generation and early-stage exploration in North America. Kenorland's exploration strategy is to advance greenfields projects through systematic, property-wide, phased exploration surveys financed primarily through exploration partnerships including option to joint venture agreements. Kenorland holds a 4% net smelter return royalty on the Frotet Project in Quebec which is owned by Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada Ltd. The Frotet Project hosts the Regnault gold system, a greenfields discovery made by Kenorland and Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada Ltd. in 2020. Kenorland is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Further information can be found on the Company's website On behalf of the Board of Directors, Zach Flood President, CEO & Director For further information, please contact: Alex Muir, CFA Corporate Development and Investor Relations Manager Tel +1 604 568 6005 [email protected] Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, 'forward-looking statements') within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as 'plans', 'expects', 'estimates', 'intends', 'anticipates', 'believes' or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might', 'will be taken', 'occur' or 'be achieved'. Forward looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed under the heading 'Risk Factors' and elsewhere in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing these forward-looking statements are reasonable based upon the information currently available to management as of the date hereof, actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Readers are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or view the source version of this press release, please visit
