Sheba Gold Mine
The Barberton Greenstone Belt in Eastern Africa is the eldest mountain range in the world and is 3.5 billion years old.
Almost all mountains are 'old'. However, geological scientists agree that the Barberton Greenstone Belt in Africa is the oldest mountain range on Earth at 3.5 billion years old.
The Alps, in Europe, are 1.2 billion years old.
What is the oldest mountain range in the world?
One of the earliest forms of life found in the Barberton district of Mpumalanga is stromatolites, which are layered sedimentary formations created by the activity of cyanobacteria. These ancient structures date back approximately 3.5 billion years and provide crucial evidence of early microbial life on Earth. The Barberton Greenstone Belt, where these stromatolites are located, is significant for studying the origins of life and the conditions of early Earth.
The Barberton Greenstone Belt in South Africa is considered one of the oldest mountain ranges on Earth, dating back over 3.5 billion years. It is known for its well-preserved rocks and mineral deposits that provide insights into the early Earth's history.
K.B Heather has written: 'The geological evolution of the Archean Swayze Greenstone Belt, superior Province, Canada / by Kevin B. Heather' -- subject(s): Geology - Ontario - Swayze Greenstone Belt
J.A Ayer has written: 'Precambrian geology : geological compilation of the Lake Abitibi area, Abitibi Greenstone Belt / by J. A. Ayer [and others]' -- subject(s): Geology - Lake Abitibi, Abitibi greenstone belt
The Barberton Greenstone Belt in South Africa is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, estimated to be over 3.5 billion years old. The Canadian Shield in North America is another ancient mountain range, dating back over 4 billion years.
It is believed that the oldest mountain range is the Appalachians. They formed during the Ordovician Period which occurred about 480 million years ago. The Appalachians run for 1,500 miles and the highest peak is 6.684 feet.
Ely Greenstone is a type of greenstone found in the Ely Greenstone Belt in northern Minnesota. It is a metamorphosed volcanic rock that is around 2.7 billion years old, making it one of the oldest rock formations on Earth. Ely Greenstone is known for its unique color and mineral composition.
M.S Larson has written: 'Physical volcanology and petrogenesis of intrusive and extrusive komatiites in the Shaw Dome area, Abitibi greenstone belt, Ontario, Canada' -- subject(s): Abitibi greenstone belt, Komatiites - Ontario, Geology - Ontario - Shaw Dome area