A Shocking Revelation about Scotland's Geological Timeline

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery that will rewrite Scotland's geological history! An ancient meteorite struck the region 990 million years ago, a whopping 200 million years later than previously believed, experts now say. This revelation has profound implications for understanding the early life that thrived in the UK.

The Discovery of the Stac Fada Member Rock Layer

Initially thought to be formed by the impact of a meteorite 1.17 billion years ago, the Stac Fada Member rock layer in northwestern Scotland is now understood to chronicle a much younger event. This timing is critical since it coincides with when the region was home to some of the UK's earliest nonmarine life—tiny freshwater organisms that would eventually evolve into the ancestors of plants, animals, and fungi.

A Window into Ancient Ecosystems

The Stac Fada Member was part of the supercontinent Rodinia a billion years ago, encapsulating what Earth looked like both before and after the significant meteorite impact. Tony Prave, co-author of the study and an emeritus professor at the University of St Andrews, describes it as a 'natural laboratory' for understanding ancient microbial ecosystems.

How Researchers Unearthed the Truth