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New Findings Reveal Earth's Early Heat Aided Continent Formation

10/31/2025

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Summary

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The Pennsylvania State University and Columbia University report that Earth's continents formed under heat 200 degrees hotter than previously thought, published in Nature Geoscience.
The heat arose from decaying radioactive elements such as uranium and thorium, which cooled and solidified Earth's crust more than 3 billion years ago.
The researchers say similar heat-driven processes may occur on other rocky planets, aiding the search for extraterrestrial life by identifying potential habitability.

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Story summary

The Pennsylvania State University and Columbia University report that Earth's continents formed under heat 200 degrees hotter than previously thought, published in Nature Geoscience.
The heat arose from decaying radioactive elements such as uranium and thorium, which cooled and solidified Earth's crust more than 3 billion years ago.
The researchers say similar heat-driven processes may occur on other rocky planets, aiding the search for extraterrestrial life by identifying potential habitability.