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A recent study by David Hernández Uribe from the University of Illinois Chicago, published in Nature Geoscience, challenges the prevailing theory on the formation of Earth's continents. Traditionally, it has been believed that Archaean zircons, rare mineral deposits dating back 2.5 to 4 billion years, were formed by subduction—a process where tectonic plates collide and push land masses to the surface. However, Hernández Uribe's research using computer models suggests that these zircons could have formed through the high pressure and temperatures associated with the melting of the Earth's thick primordial crust, without the necessity of subduction. This finding implies that the processes responsible for continent formation might differ from those observed today. The study also raises questions about the timeline of plate tectonics on Earth. If the first continents formed through subduction, it would mean that tectonic activity began as early as 3.6 to 4 billion years ago. Conversely, if the continents formed through crust melting, tectonic movements might have started much later. This uncertainty affects our understanding of Earth's geological history and its implications for the origin of life, as the movement of continents has influenced weather patterns and ocean chemistry, crucial factors in the development of life on Earth. P. Geo. Ricardo A Valls, M. Sc. and Geo Gadfly Valls Geoconsultant ORCID ID- https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5421-0914 Scopus Author ID: 7003369619/35335510700 ResearcherID: S-6604-2018 If you like this content, please "buy me a coffee" https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goldendroplets