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An analysis of rocks in South Africa has revealed the existence of a diverse ecosystem that thrived in the sea 3.4 billion years ago, suggesting an even earlier origin of life on Earth. The rocks, which are 3.42 billion years old, contain microscopic blobs of carbon-based matter believed to be the remains of microorganisms. The chemical makeup of these blobs indicates that there were photosynthetic microbes living near the surface of the sea, as well as other microbes that fed on waste products produced by the photosynthetic organisms. This study provides further evidence for an early origin of life on Earth, although the earliest history of life remains unknown due to a lack of well-preserved rocks. [Extracted from the article]

Scientists studying rocks in eastern South Africa have found evidence of an earthquake that occurred over 3 billion years ago, triggered by plate tectonics. This discovery raises questions about when plate tectonics first emerged on Earth, a topic that has been debated among geologists. The rocks in the Barberton Greenstone Belt in South Africa, which range in age from 3.2 billion to 3.6 billion years old, show signs of being churned by giant submarine landslides, which are typically associated with earthquakes caused by tectonic plate collisions. While some researchers believe plate tectonics emerged about 2.8 billion years ago, others argue it began much earlier. The study provides solid evidence based on fieldwork, but there are differing opinions among scientists about the initiation of plate tectonics. [Extracted from the article]