The modern Earth is believed to be 300 million years old, according to the latest measurements. However, before this so-called modern Earth was formed, the actual planet still existed.

To support this theory, of an older and a younger Earth, scientists face a new discovery: bedrock, in the northern part of Quebec, estimated so far to be 4.28 billion years old. After close analysis, it seems that the old Earth was not much different than the actual state of our planet now, at least from a geological standpoint.

Although very excited about this latest discovery, which may shed even more light on the beginnings of our planet, the scientists keep a cool head and await further information and measurements to establish if those rocks are truly that old. Some geologists consider these rocks to be younger sedimentary rocks belonging to a rock formation which may indeed be 4.28 billion years old.

The age of the solar system and of our planet is thought to be 4, 57 billion years ago, making these new found rocks the earliest ones since the Earth’s formation. Scientists have also stated that some of the rocks’ features indicate a very early presence of water on our planet. The appearance of oceans is still unclear time-wise, and there is also a heated debate on whether water formed on Earth or was brought by iced comets.

Similarly old rocks have also been found in recent years, such as a rock formation in northwestern Canada, dated 4.03 billion years, and some mineral zircon in Western Australia, with an estimated age of 4.38 billion years. Regarding the rocks near Quebec, it’s still uncertain whether they are as old and/or if they are part of the initial Earth crust.

These rocks and, primarily, the theory of water being present on our planet over 4 billion years ago, might bring scientists to the conclusion that life was possible on Earth. This theory depends, of course, on the accuracy of the tests and on further, more rigorous analysis.