Oldest evidence of tectonic plates unearthed, sealed in ancient crystals

Tiny crystals unearthed in South Africa contain evidence of a sudden transition on the planet's surface 3.8 billion years ago. These crystals, each no bigger than a grain of sand, show that around that time, Earth's crust broke up and began moving — a precursor to the process known as plate tectonics. The findings offer clues about Earth's evolution as a planet, and could help answer questions...

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