PNAS Study Finds Early Evidence of Earth's Plate Tectonics

A PNAS study, highlighted in a 'Science Sessions' podcast, analyzed isotopic signatures in volcanic rocks from the Marquesas Archipelago. The findings suggest that an active rock cycle, including the subduction of continental sediment into the Earth's mantle, occurred much earlier than previously believed. This research challenges current understanding of when plate tectonics began on Earth, impacting models of planetary evolution and geological history.