A team of Indian geologists has found our planet's earliest lifeforms that lived and died 3.5 billion years ago. Geologist Trisrota Chaudhuri of the Geological Survey of India and her team discovered the remnants of an ancient microbial community and directly dated the material for the first time. Chaudhuri said that, since well-preserved biological material and datable zircons were present in the same rock, an extremely rare occurrence, they were able to directly link the age of the rock and the evidence of life. Chaudhuri collaborated with scientists in Europe and the US for her analysis, and the study has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.&nbsp;Finding the earliest organisms that inhabited Earth has proved to be extremely difficult since any signs of them have changed over billions of years. But sometimes conditions lead the traces of dead microbes to be preserved inside silica. They sit there as thin layers of carbon and are not affected even when the rock is bearing the brunt of heat and pressure, causing changes in it.<h2>The discovery was made near Jamshedpur in Jharkhand</h2>&nbsp; Chaudhuri and her team made the discovery at the Singhbhum Craton, one of Earth's oldest surviving blocks of continental crust. Some rocks in Singhbhum are 3.5 billion years old. A set of black-and-white patterns was embedded in the ancient rock near Bhitardari, Jamshedpur, in the state of Jharkhand. The researchers said that these bands are remnants of microbial mats, fossilised remains in which single-celled organisms resided. "&nbsp;<h2>Studying the carbon in the rock</h2> She said that the chemical signatures preserved in this rock suggest that life forms were already using sophisticated ways of turning carbon dioxide into organic matter 3.5 billion years ago. This carbonaceous layer could have come from non-biological processes, such as volcanism, or could belong to something that lived all those years ago. To determine exactly which argument was true, they used Raman spectroscopy. They used a laser to light up the carbon, enabling them to study its structure to learn about when it formed and the alterations it went through over the years.&nbsp;For it to be from an organism that was once alive, they had to establish that the carbon was indigenous to the rock and did not come from another geological event. The maximum temperature endured by the carbon was between 324 and 369 degrees Celsius, while the later veins of quartz had been heated at much higher temperatures. The cooler layers showed that the carbon was part of the original rock.&nbsp;<h2>Why the discovery matters</h2> To find the age of the material, researchers analysed eight zircon crystals. To know when the zircon was formed, scientists looked at the ratio of uranium to lead in a zircon sample. While four crystals had undergone several changes, the other four revealed the true age, dating them back to around 3.5 billion years ago. "What we find most remarkable is that our study again confirms that primitive life thrived in a chemically extreme world 3.5 billion years ago. These microorganisms lived alongside active volcanism, in an ocean rich in iron and silica," Chaudhuri told ScienceAlert. &nbsp;

A team of Indian geologists have discovered the earliest life forms fossilised in the rocks of Jharkhand. They are dated to be 3.5 billion years old and were found in the Singhbhum Craton, one of Earth's oldest surviving blocks of continental crust.

A team of Indian geologists has found our planet's earliest lifeforms that lived and died 3.5 billion years ago. Geologist Trisrota Chaudhuri of the Geological Survey of India and her team discovered the remnants of an ancient microbial community and directly dated the material for the first time. Chaudhuri said that, since well-preserved biological material and datable zircons were present in the same rock, an extremely rare occurrence, they were able to directly link the age of the rock and the evidence of life. Chaudhuri collaborated with scientists in Europe and the US for her analysis, and the study has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Finding the earliest organisms that inhabited Earth has proved to be extremely difficult since any signs of them have changed over billions of years. But sometimes conditions lead the traces of dead microbes to be preserved inside silica. They sit there as thin layers of carbon and are not affected even when the rock is bearing the brunt of heat and pressure, causing changes in it. The discovery was made near Jamshedpur in Jharkhand Chaudhuri and her team made the discovery at the Singhbhum Craton, one of Earth's oldest surviving blocks of continental crust. Some rocks in Singhbhum are 3.5 billion years old. A set of black-and-white patterns was embedded in the ancient rock near Bhitardari, Jamshedpur, in the state of Jharkhand. The researchers said that these bands are remnants of microbial mats, fossilised remains in which single-celled organisms resided. " Studying the carbon in the rock She said that the chemical signatures preserved in this rock suggest that life forms were already using sophisticated ways of turning carbon dioxide into organic matter 3.5 billion years ago. This carbonaceous layer could have come from non-biological processes, such as volcanism, or could belong to something that lived all those years ago. To determine exactly which argument was true, they used Raman spectroscopy. They used a laser to light up the carbon, enabling them to study its structure to learn about when it formed and the alterations it went through over the years. For it to be from an organism that was once alive, they had to establish that the carbon was indigenous to the rock and did not come from another geological event. The maximum temperature endured by the carbon was between 324 and 369 degrees Celsius, while the later veins of quartz had been heated at much higher temperatures. The cooler layers showed that the carbon was part of the original rock. Why the discovery matters To find the age of the material, researchers analysed eight zircon crystals. To know when the zircon was formed, scientists looked at the ratio of uranium to lead in a zircon sample. While four crystals had undergone several changes, the other four revealed the true age, dating them back to around 3.5 billion years ago. "What we find most remarkable is that our study again confirms that primitive life thrived in a chemically extreme world 3.5 billion years ago. These microorganisms lived alongside active volcanism, in an ocean rich in iron and silica," Chaudhuri told ScienceAlert.

A team of Indian geologists have discovered the earliest life forms fossilised in the rocks of Jharkhand. They are dated to be 3.5 billion years old and were found in the Singhbhum Craton, one of Earth's oldest surviving blocks of continental crust.

Indian geologist finds 3.5bn-year-old evidence of life in the rocks of Jharkhand

The Indian tectonic plate is undergoing an unexpected shift under Tibet. According to a study, this plate is splitting into two. This plate, along with the Eurasian plate, crashed into each other millions of years ago, forming the Himalayas and the Tibetan plateau. But the geological process and the tectonic interaction between the Indian and Eurasian plates have remained somewhat of a mystery. However, a study presented at the 2023 American Geophysical Union conference gives a clearer picture of Earth’s deep geological activity and an unexpected occurrence. For years, it has been believed that the Indian plate is sliding beneath the Eurasian plate. This continental collision started millions of years ago. The Eurasian plate is being pushed upwards. But recent discovery shows that that's not all that's happening. The Lower part of the Indian plate is peeling off and sinking into the mantle.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/what-is-at-the-centre-of-the-solar-system-not-the-sun-but-an-invisible-force-1762755209678">What is at the centre of the solar system? Not the Sun, but an invisible force</a> &nbsp;<h2>A deep fracture has been observed in Earth's mantle</h2>This process is known as "delamination". The lower part of the Indian plate is extremely dense and is peeling off. This process is supported by evidence, such as unusual patterns in earthquake waves and the detection of helium isotopes in Tibetan springs. These discoveries indicate that the fractures are reaching deep into the plate, leading to the gases being released from the mantle. There is also seismic data that supports the theory that the Indian plate isn't breaking apart in a single block, but is breaking apart under Tibet.&nbsp;<h2>Study to understand tectonic movement</h2>The collision between the two plates started 60 million years ago and continues to date. The delamination of the Indian plate shows how tectonic forces work under the Earth, showing how the larger mechanism continues to remain a mystery. The study utilised data from 94 seismic stations across southern Tibet to understand the tectonic activity. Both “up-and-down” S-wave and “back-and-forth” P-wave data were studied, as these seismic waves offer crucial insight into the composition and movement of tectonic plates. This was combined with previous data to create a model which showed that delamination was occurring under Tibet. So now what we have is a series of fractures that extend deep into the Earth’s crust.&nbsp;Understanding how the tectonic plates work could help predict earthquakes, helping with preparedness and other measures, since scientists may be able to identify high-risk areas.&nbsp; &nbsp;

A deep fracture in Earth's mantle is taking shape as the Indian and Eurasian plates collide and trigger a process called "delamination". Scientists say that the denser lower part of the Indian plate is peeling off as it collides with the Eurasian plate.

The Indian tectonic plate is undergoing an unexpected shift under Tibet. According to a study, this plate is splitting into two. This plate, along with the Eurasian plate, crashed into each other millions of years ago, forming the Himalayas and the Tibetan plateau. But the geological process and the tectonic interaction between the Indian and Eurasian plates have remained somewhat of a mystery. However, a study presented at the 2023 American Geophysical Union conference gives a clearer picture of Earth’s deep geological activity and an unexpected occurrence. For years, it has been believed that the Indian plate is sliding beneath the Eurasian plate. This continental collision started millions of years ago. The Eurasian plate is being pushed upwards. But recent discovery shows that that's not all that's happening. The Lower part of the Indian plate is peeling off and sinking into the mantle. Also Read: What is at the centre of the solar system? Not the Sun, but an invisible force A deep fracture has been observed in Earth's mantle This process is known as "delamination". The lower part of the Indian plate is extremely dense and is peeling off. This process is supported by evidence, such as unusual patterns in earthquake waves and the detection of helium isotopes in Tibetan springs. These discoveries indicate that the fractures are reaching deep into the plate, leading to the gases being released from the mantle. There is also seismic data that supports the theory that the Indian plate isn't breaking apart in a single block, but is breaking apart under Tibet. Study to understand tectonic movement The collision between the two plates started 60 million years ago and continues to date. The delamination of the Indian plate shows how tectonic forces work under the Earth, showing how the larger mechanism continues to remain a mystery. The study utilised data from 94 seismic stations across southern Tibet to understand the tectonic activity. Both “up-and-down” S-wave and “back-and-forth” P-wave data were studied, as these seismic waves offer crucial insight into the composition and movement of tectonic plates. This was combined with previous data to create a model which showed that delamination was occurring under Tibet. So now what we have is a series of fractures that extend deep into the Earth’s crust. Understanding how the tectonic plates work could help predict earthquakes, helping with preparedness and other measures, since scientists may be able to identify high-risk areas.

A deep fracture in Earth's mantle is taking shape as the Indian and Eurasian plates collide and trigger a process called "delamination". Scientists say that the denser lower part of the Indian plate is peeling off as it collides with the Eurasian plate.

Deep fracture in Earth's mantle created by an unexpected occurrence under India

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Indian geologist finds 3.5bn-year-old evidence of life in the rocks of Jharkhand

Deep fracture in Earth's mantle created by an unexpected occurrence under India