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How did plate tectonics begin on Earth?

Category: Earth Science

Status: Queued

Plate tectonics is unique to Earth among known planets, but when and why it started is unsettled. Estimates range from the Hadean (4 billion years ago) to as recently as the Neoproterozoic (1 billion years ago).

The geochemical record, ancient zircons, and comparative planetology all feed into the debate.

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