Billions of years ago, fire forged the continents that made life possible

undefined 28, 2025

Source: scitechdaily

Scientists from Penn State and Columbia University found that Earth’s continents gained stability from ultra-high temperatures, above 900 °C, in the lower crust. Heat caused radioactive elements like uranium and thorium to migrate upward, cooling and solidifying the crust. This process, akin to forging steel, also transported rare earth elements. Understanding these mechanisms helps explain continental formation, guides mineral exploration, and may offer insights into habitable planets beyond our solar system.

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