The oldest rock on Earth is older than Earth Itself — Here’s how

The McDonough Meteorite is around 4.56 billion years old (Image: Cade Massey/University of Georgia)

Scientists have revealed a surprising discovery. A meteorite found on Earth is actually older than our planet. The finding opens a new window into how the solar system began. It also explains how the first solid rocks formed before Earth existed.

A Rock That Outlived Planets

Researchers dated the meteorite to 4.56 billion years. This makes it around 20 million years older than Earth. The rock formed when the young Sun was still surrounded by swirling dust. It broke off from an early asteroid and later travelled through space for billions of years.

Why This Rock Is Older Than Earth? 

Earth did not form instantly. It grew slowly from countless tiny pieces. These pieces were called chondrules. They were the first solid materials in the solar system. The meteorite still contains those ancient chondrules. This means it is made of the same building blocks that eventually created Earth.

The McDonough Meteorite

The meteorite formed when the Solar System was extremely young. It dates back to when dust first solidified near Sun. It finally fell to Earth, crashing into a home in Georgia. The rock landed in McDonough, piercing a house roof intact. It carries untouched material showing how Earth formed from cosmic dust. Minerals reveal conditions that existed long before planets ever emerged.

Why This Discovery Matters? 

This meteorite acts like a time machine. It carries secrets from the solar system’s beginning. It helps scientists trace Earth’s earliest story. It also proves that some rocks on Earth started their journey long before our planet was born.

What Scientists want to learn about this rock?

Researchers now plan to study the meteorite in even greater detail. They hope to uncover traces of early chemistry that shaped young planets. Future tests may reveal how fast Earth grew and when its first minerals formed. This ancient rock could guide upcoming space missions searching for our solar system’s earliest materials.