Genuine Acasta Gneiss Specimen – 3.6–4 Billion Year Old Oldest Rock on Earth, Pre-Cambrian Tonalite Gneiss from Canada

Description

Authentic Acasta Gneiss Rock Fragment
Type: Fossil / Mineral Rock
Age: 3.6 – 4.0 Billion Years
Era: Pre-Cambrian
Location: Slave Craton, Northwest Territories, Canada
Scale Reference: 1cm cube shown in photographs (see photos for accurate sizing)

Geological & Scientific Information

The Acasta Gneiss is the oldest known intact rock formation on Earth, dating back an incredible 3.6 to 4.031 billion years. Found within the Slave Craton in the Northwest Territories, Canada, these ancient tonalite gneisses have been metamorphosed over immense spans of geological time. They outcrop on an island approximately 300 km north of Yellowknife, and represent remnants of the earliest continental crust formed during the Archean Eon.

The rock itself is primarily a tonalite gneiss, composed of minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and biotite, with evidence of high-grade metamorphism. The isotopic dating of the zircons within the rock reveals their remarkable antiquity, pushing back the timeline of Earth’s early crustal development.

These rocks provide crucial evidence for the study of early Earth geology, helping geologists understand the processes that shaped our planet’s earliest crust, continental formation, and the conditions of the early Archean Earth.

Collectors Significance

Owning a specimen of Acasta Gneiss is like holding the oldest known chapter of Earth’s geological history in your hands. Highly prized by:

• Fossil and mineral collectors
• Geology enthusiasts
• Academic researchers
• Museums and educational institutions

Each specimen is unique and represents one of the rarest and most ancient materials available for collection. This makes it a highly desirable item for collectors of rare geological specimens.

Specimen Details

• ACTUAL AS SEEN: The specimen shown in the photographs is the exact rock or fragments you will receive. Some specimens may consist of multiple fragments in a single box.
• Carefully hand-selected for authenticity and rarity.
• Colours may vary slightly depending on lighting and device settings.
• Measurements are approximate due to the irregular shapes of natural specimens.
• Once sold, the listing will be updated with a new unique specimen and photographs.

All of our fossils and minerals are 100% Genuine and include a Certificate of Authenticity.