{"product_id":"idiwhaa-tonalitic-acasta-gneiss-meteorite-impact-melt-179g-4-billion-years-old","title":"Idiwhaa Tonalitic Acasta Gneiss- Meteorite Impact Melt (Canada- 4 Billion Years Old) 179g","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIdiwhaa Tonalitic Acasta Gneiss\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOwn a piece of the literal foundation of our planet. The \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIdiwhaa Tonalitic Acasta Gneiss\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a geological messenger from the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHadean Eon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the first and oldest geological eon, which \u003c\/span\u003espanned from Earth's formation about 4.6 billion years ago to roughly 4.0 billion years ago.\u003cspan\u003e Characterised by a molten surface, intense volcanic activity, and constant asteroid bombardment, this era saw the creation of the Moon, the solidification of the Earth's crust, and the formation of the first oceans.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFound along the banks of the Acasta River in the remote Northwest Territories of Canada, this specimen represents the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eoldest known intact crustal rock on Earth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, dating back \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e4.02 billion years.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe \"Impact Melt\" Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor decades, geologists struggled to explain how such a silica-rich (tonalitic) rock could form so early in Earth’s history, long before modern plate tectonics were active. Recent ground-breaking research suggests a cosmic origin: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Impact Melt Theory\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific analysis indicates that the Idiwhaa Gneiss was formed at a time when massive \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003emeteorite impacts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e slammed into the basaltic crust of the young Earth. The sheer kinetic energy of these rocks generated localised, extreme heat at shallow depths, melting the existing rock and allowing it to reform into the tonalitic gneiss we see today. This specimen is a physical record of the \"Late Heavy Bombardment,\" a period when our planet was under constant siege from interplanetary objects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGeological Background \u0026amp; Composition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe term \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"Idiwhaa\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is derived from the Tlicho (Dene) word for \"ancient,\" a name bestowed upon this specific 4.02-billion-year-old unit by the indigenous people of the region and the geologists who mapped it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClassification:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e It is a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTonalitic Gneiss\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a high-grade metamorphic rock characterized by its banded appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis specimen offers a chance to hold the very beginning of time in your own hands. It predates the existence of multi-cellular life, the formation of the modern continents, and even the oxygenation of our atmosphere. It is the ultimate cornerstone for any serious geological collection, offering a direct link to the Earths formation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImportant Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDue to the extreme remoteness of the Acasta River and the scientific importance of the site, authentic samples are difficult to obtain. This specimen comes with a certificate of authenticity, and represents an exceptionally rare opportunity to own a piece of Earth's earliest history.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 179 grams\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions: \u003c\/strong\u003e10cm x 7.5cm x 2.2cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Certificate of authenticity\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Crystal World","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50081055703286,"sku":"IDI002","price":720.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0759\/1352\/7542\/files\/20260320_120034.jpg?v=1773973862","url":"https:\/\/littlestarshop.com.au\/products\/idiwhaa-tonalitic-acasta-gneiss-meteorite-impact-melt-179g-4-billion-years-old","provider":"Little Star Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}