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Two points here: rocks are solidified material--early Earth was molten. The first rocks appeared after the molten Earth cooled somewhat. Secondly, Earth's rocks are constantly being recycled through the 'rock cycle'. The oldest rocks on Earth have somehow survived those recycling efforts, but no rock found on Earth (other than some meteorites) is as old as the planet.

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βˆ™ 16y ago
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βˆ™ 5mo ago

The Earth must be older than its oldest rocks because those rocks formed after the Earth's initial solidification. The oldest rocks provide a minimum age for the Earth's formation, but the Earth itself had already existed before those rocks formed.

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Q: Why must the earth be older than its oldest rocks?
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Why sedimentary rocks could not have been the first rocks on earth?

Sedimentary rocks form from the accumulation of sediment such as sand, silt, or clay. For sedimentary rocks to form, there must be pre-existing rocks that weather and erode to produce sediment. Therefore, sedimentary rocks could not have been the first rocks on Earth as they require the presence of older rocks to form.


What evidence supports the hypothesis that Earth is 4.6 billion years?

The age of Earth is determined through radiometric dating of rocks and meteorites, as well as studying the decay of radioactive elements, such as uranium and thorium, in Earth's crust. Additionally, analysis of lunar rocks from the Apollo missions provided further evidence supporting the estimated age of Earth at 4.6 billion years.


What is the current age of the earth?

The Earth is estimated to be approximately 4.5 billion years old. This age is calculated based on radiometric dating of meteorite material and rocks from the Earth's surface.


Rocks buried deep underground must do what before they are weathered or eroded?

Rocks buried deep underground must be uplifted to the surface before they can be weathered or eroded. This uplift can happen through tectonic movements, erosion of overlying rocks, or other geological processes that bring the rocks closer to the Earth's surface. Once at the surface, rocks are exposed to weathering processes such as wind, water, and ice that break them down over time.


In order to form magma what must happen to sedimentary metamorphic or igneous rocks?

In order to form magma, sedimentary, metamorphic, or igneous rocks must be exposed to high temperatures and pressures deep within the Earth's crust. This process causes the rocks to partially melt, forming molten rock called magma.

Related questions

Why sedimentary rocks could not have been the first rocks on earth?

Sedimentary rocks form from the accumulation of sediment such as sand, silt, or clay. For sedimentary rocks to form, there must be pre-existing rocks that weather and erode to produce sediment. Therefore, sedimentary rocks could not have been the first rocks on Earth as they require the presence of older rocks to form.


What evidence supports the hypothesis that Earth is 4.6 billion years?

The age of Earth is determined through radiometric dating of rocks and meteorites, as well as studying the decay of radioactive elements, such as uranium and thorium, in Earth's crust. Additionally, analysis of lunar rocks from the Apollo missions provided further evidence supporting the estimated age of Earth at 4.6 billion years.


What is the law of superpositon?

The rocks below must be older, otherwise the rocks on top couldn't have formed above it without falling to its position. Therefore, it must be older for it t to have been there when the above layers (younger) where forming.


Why are there things that are orbiting around the earth?

must be rocks but i luv one direction


How do you figure out how old rocks are by using their positions compared to each other?

With sedimentary rocks, young ones are usually on top of older ones. Where igneous rocks intrude into others, the intrusions must be younger than the surrounding rocks.


What is the worlds oldest thing?

The oldest thing in the world is considered to be the universe itself, estimated to be about 13.8 billion years old according to current scientific theories. Other ancient things include certain rocks and minerals on Earth that date back billions of years.


What process must sedimentary rocks undergo to become metamorphic?

Sedimentary rocks must be subjected to high temperature and pressure within the Earth's crust to become metamorphic rocks. This process, known as metamorphism, causes changes in the mineral composition and texture of the sedimentary rock, resulting in the formation of metamorphic rocks.


Who said that earth must be far older then most people believed?

Charles Lyell's ' Principles of Geology. '


What is the current age of the earth?

The Earth is estimated to be approximately 4.5 billion years old. This age is calculated based on radiometric dating of meteorite material and rocks from the Earth's surface.


Rocks buried deep underground must do what before they are weathered or eroded?

Rocks buried deep underground must be uplifted to the surface before they can be weathered or eroded. This uplift can happen through tectonic movements, erosion of overlying rocks, or other geological processes that bring the rocks closer to the Earth's surface. Once at the surface, rocks are exposed to weathering processes such as wind, water, and ice that break them down over time.


Why did hutton reason that the earth is very old?

As Hutton made observations about the rocks in the area where he lived, he began to find clues that most changes on earth happen slowly, and that earth must therefore be very old.


What did the rovers find on mars?

The Martian rovers discovered that the geology is base on sulphate rocks and not carbonate rocks as seen on Earth. The atmosphere is a reducing one rather than an oxidising one as here on Earth and accounts for the orange hue to all the rocks. Water must have flowed in vast quantities in the past but where it is now is still unknown. It may have leaked into space or it may be frozen as super brine beneath the surface.