Monday, September 29, 2025
Science
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
No Result
View All Result
Scienmag
No Result
View All Result
Home Science News Technology and Engineering

Ore-some: New date for Earth’s largest iron deposits offers clues for future exploration

July 22, 2024
in Technology and Engineering
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
1.3-billion-year-old deep blue iron ore from the Hamersley Province. Credit - Liam Courtney-Davies, Curtin University
67
SHARES
605
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT

Research led by Curtin University reveals that Earth’s largest iron ore deposits – in the Hamersley Province of Western Australia – are about one billion years younger than previously believed, a discovery which could greatly boost the search for more of the resource.

1.3-billion-year-old deep blue iron ore from the Hamersley Province. Credit - Liam Courtney-Davies, Curtin University

Credit: Liam Courtney-Davies, Curtin University

Research led by Curtin University reveals that Earth’s largest iron ore deposits – in the Hamersley Province of Western Australia – are about one billion years younger than previously believed, a discovery which could greatly boost the search for more of the resource.

Using a new geochronology technique to accurately measure the age of iron oxide minerals, researchers found the Hamersley deposits formed between 1.4 and 1.1 billion years ago, rather than 2.2 billion years ago as previously estimated.

Lead author Dr Liam Courtney-Davies, who was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Curtin University’s John de Laeter Centre at the time of the research and is now at the University of Colorado, Boulder, said the findings showed iron deposits formed during a period of major geological activity when ancient supercontinents were breaking apart and new ones were forming.

“The energy from this epic geological activity likely triggered the production of billions of tonnes of iron-rich rock across the Pilbara,” Dr Courtney-Davies said.

“The discovery of a link between these giant iron ore deposits and changes in supercontinent cycles enhances our understanding of ancient geological processes and improves our ability to predict where we should explore in the future.

Study co-author Associate Professor Martin Danišík, from the John de Laeter Centre, said the research precisely dated minerals from banded iron formations (BIFs), which are ancient underwater layers of iron-rich rock that can provide significant insights into the Earth’s deep geologic past.

“Until now, the exact timeline of these formations changing from 30 per cent iron as they originally were, to more than 60 per cent iron as they are today, was unclear, which has hindered our understanding of the processes that led to the formation of the world’s largest ore deposits,” Associate Professor Danišík said.

“By using an emerging technique to date iron oxide minerals through uranium and lead isotope analysis within the mineral grains, we directly dated all the major giant BIF-hosted iron ore deposits in the Hamersley Province.

“Our research indicates these deposits formed in conjunction with major tectonic events, highlighting the dynamic nature of our planet’s history and the complexity of iron ore mineralisation.”

Western Australia is the world’s leading producer of iron ore, which is Australia’s largest export earner at $131 billion last financial year.

The research was done in collaboration with researchers from The University of Western Australia, Rio Tinto and CSIRO Mineral Resources.

The full study titled ‘A Billion-Year Shift in the Formation of Earth’s Largest Ore Deposits’ will be published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal (PNAS) and once published can be found here:



Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI

10.1073/pnas.2405741121

Method of Research

Imaging analysis

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

A Billion-Year Shift in the Formation of Earth’s Largest Ore Deposits

Article Publication Date

23-Jul-2024

Share27Tweet17
Previous Post

Political campaigns can induce stress in minorities

Next Post

Researchers identify key factors in the spread of insect pests and find public surveillance is critical to early detection

Related Posts

blank
Technology and Engineering

At-Home Monitoring Reduces Hospitalization Rates for Children with Asthma by 50%

September 28, 2025
blank
Technology and Engineering

Professor Fei Ding Shines Light on People

September 28, 2025
blank
Technology and Engineering

Shaping VCSEL Light via Innovative Cavity Design

September 28, 2025
blank
Technology and Engineering

Nickel-Doped α-Bi2O3 Boosts Biomass Carbon Supercapacitors

September 28, 2025
blank
Technology and Engineering

Respiratory, Feeding Challenges Extend Stay in 33–36 Week Infants

September 27, 2025
blank
Technology and Engineering

Revolutionary Numerical Method for PEMFC Model Inversion

September 27, 2025
Next Post

Researchers identify key factors in the spread of insect pests and find public surveillance is critical to early detection

  • Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    27560 shares
    Share 11021 Tweet 6888
  • University of Seville Breaks 120-Year-Old Mystery, Revises a Key Einstein Concept

    969 shares
    Share 388 Tweet 242
  • Bee body mass, pathogens and local climate influence heat tolerance

    646 shares
    Share 258 Tweet 162
  • Researchers record first-ever images and data of a shark experiencing a boat strike

    512 shares
    Share 205 Tweet 128
  • Groundbreaking Clinical Trial Reveals Lubiprostone Enhances Kidney Function

    471 shares
    Share 188 Tweet 118
Science

Embark on a thrilling journey of discovery with Scienmag.com—your ultimate source for cutting-edge breakthroughs. Immerse yourself in a world where curiosity knows no limits and tomorrow’s possibilities become today’s reality!

RECENT NEWS

  • Genomic Study Uncovers Resilience of Coral-Killing Sponge
  • Transforming CO2: From Emission to Valuable Products
  • Closing the Prevention Gap: Funding and Research Shifts
  • Effective Treatment of Verrucous Granuloma in Captive Elephants

Categories

  • Agriculture
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Athmospheric
  • Biology
  • Blog
  • Bussines
  • Cancer
  • Chemistry
  • Climate
  • Earth Science
  • Marine
  • Mathematics
  • Medicine
  • Pediatry
  • Policy
  • Psychology & Psychiatry
  • Science Education
  • Social Science
  • Space
  • Technology and Engineering

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 5,184 other subscribers

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Discover more from Science

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading