Acasta Gneiss 33 grams [2925]

What makes Acasta Gneiss significant? Acasta Gneiss rocks make excellent transition specimens that bridge the geological gap between the late Hadean and early Archean eons. It provides a unique chance to gain valuable insights into “Deep Time.” Having an object in our hands that is around one-third of the universe's age is an incredibly important tool. These kinds of old geologic rocks are crucial stepping stone for us to better conceptualize the first geological eons of Earth's history.

The Acasta gneiss is the oldest known bedrock on Earth, providing insight into the planet's earliest history. It is about 4 billion years old, while the estimated age of the universe is 13.8 billion years. Although the age of the Earth is 4.5 billion years, in the grand scheme of things, we have only been around for a small fraction of that time.

Acasta Gneiss is a very old rock formation located in the Slave Lake province of the Northwest Territories in Canada. It is one of the oldest known areas on Earth where zircon can be found. The rock formed during the Hadean eon, which was the earliest time period in our planet's history. The area gets its name from the nearby Acasta River, which is east of Great Slave Lake and quite a distance north of Yellowknife. Scientists have determined that Acasta Gneiss is about 3.9 to 4.03 Ga based on radiometric dating of zircon crystals.

Size of Specimen: 52mm L X 45mm W X 22mm D, Weight: 33.9 grams

Ships with Certificate of Authenticity, tag, tag stand, and information about Acasta Gneiss. Display stand and photo cube not included.

This makes a great budget specimen for learning and teaching about geological time.