We have discovered the oldest meteorite impact crater on Earth, in the very heart of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The crater formed more than 3.5 billion years ago, making it the oldest known by more than a billion years.

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have identified the world's oldest known meteorite impact crater in Western

Researchers say they have found "unequivocal evidence" that a meteorite smashed into Earth 3.47 billion years ago, potentially affecting plate tectonics and creating conditions for life.

The discovery bolsters the theory that meteorite impacts played an important role in Earth's early geological history

This week, geologists announced they discovered the world's oldest known impact crater. It's in Western Australia's ancient Pilbara region.

Researchers found the world’s oldest impact crater in Western Australia. The crater was created by a massive meteorite impact.

Led by Curtin University geologists Chris Kirkland and Tim Johnson, a research team unearthed this primeval crater beneath rock layers in the East Pilbara Terrane of Western Australia. The oldest Archaean crater before this discovery went back only 2.2 billion years.

Curtin University researchers have discovered the world's oldest known meteorite impact crater, which could significantly redefine our understanding of the origins of life and how our planet was shaped.

A rocky stretch in Western Australia's Pilbara, near Earth's earliest-confirmed lifeforms, was hit by a meteorite about 3.5 billion years ago.

Previously, the Vredefort Dome had been the only dated impact structure. The 2 billion-year-old crater can be found in South Africa and is also the world’s biggest at over 155miles across.

Scientists published the discovery of a 3.5-billion-year-old meteorite impact crater, making it the oldest known by more than a billion years.