Isua Oldest Pillow Lava 3.8 billion [28083] Greenland

This pillow lava is from an ancient volcanic rock formation in the Greenland Isua region. It is, to date, the oldest known pillow lava, formed approximately 3.8 billion years ago.  Pillow lavas form when molten material travels underneath or across the surface of a cooling crust and forms into pillow-shaped structures that harden over time. The geological significance of the Isua pillow lava lies in its contribution to our understanding of Earth's early history. These ancient pillow lavas provide tangible evidence that our planet's crust was active billions of years ago when conditions were drastically different than they are today. The presence of pillow lava in Isua corroborates the theory that vast oceans existed during Earth's formative years, a crucial element for the development and evolution of life.

Size of Specimen: 70mm L X 56mm W X 28mm D. Weight: 131.4 grams

Ships with a Certificate of Authenticity, tag, tag stand, and information about the specimen.

This Isua pillow lava serves as a "time capsule," preserving geochemical signatures from the primitive crust, offering invaluable insights into the geochemical processes during the Earth's infancy. The formation process of pillow lava is an intriguing geological phenomenon that occurs when lava meets water. As the molten lava comes into contact with water, it cools rapidly, causing the exterior to solidify and form a skin around the fluid interior. As the flow continues, the pressure from the incoming lava causes the thickened skin to rupture and extrude more lava, forming interconnected, pillow-shaped structures. As such, the distinctive shape of pillow lava results from the interaction between water and lava under specific pressure conditions.

Conclusion: The Isua pillow lava provides a unique window into Earth's history. By understanding the geological conditions that led to its formation, we can gain insight into the climate and environment of our ancient world - and how these parameters enabled life to take root billions of years ago. As such, it stands as a testament to Earth's dynamic nature as notable examples of pillow lava formations can be found across the globe, offering fascinating insights into the geological history of our planet.

Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes in Hawaii frequently produce pillow lava formations due to their active underwater eruptions. These formations are easily accessible and extensively studied, providing valuable information about current volcanic activity and the ongoing island formation process.

In Iceland, the Thingvellir National Park showcases spectacular landscapes shaped by pillow lava formations due to the country's high volcanic activity and its location on the mid-Atlantic ridge.

Another notable site is Lake Superior in North America, where ancient pillow lava formations are surprisingly preserved on exposed cliff faces, giving a glimpse into the region's volcanic past.

While these examples are younger than the Isua formations, they still play an essential role in understanding the geological processes involving water and lava and contribute to the broader comprehension of Earth's dynamic geology.

Interestingly, pillow lavas experience high deformation and have never been a target for early life studies.

This specimen would make a terrific addition to any serious geology collection that includes Earth's oldest rocks and studies in volcanology!

This scientific material is Guaranteed Authentic. It was professionally and legally collected and arrives with a Certificate of Authenticity.