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MIT Scientists Discover Ancient 'Proto Earth' Remnants

10/15/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have found remnants of 'proto Earth' in ancient rocks.
The study, published in Nature Geosciences, suggests some original materials survived the giant impact that formed Earth 4.5 billion years ago.
They detected a subtle deficit of potassium-40 in deep rock samples from Greenland, Canada, and Hawaii.
The result implies mantle domains may have remained unchanged and could help identify undisturbed regions.

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Story summary

Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have found remnants of 'proto Earth' in ancient rocks.
The study, published in Nature Geosciences, suggests some original materials survived the giant impact that formed Earth 4.5 billion years ago.
They detected a subtle deficit of potassium-40 in deep rock samples from Greenland, Canada, and Hawaii.
The result implies mantle domains may have remained unchanged and could help identify undisturbed regions.