News Earth

Earth’s oldest known earthquake was probably triggered by plate tectonics

The quake dates to more than 3 billion years ago

Barberton Greenstone Belt in South Africa

Layers of rock at the Barberton Greenstone Belt in South Africa contain hints of a huge earthquake triggered by plate tectonics more than 3 billion years ago.

Simon Lamb

By Lucas Van Wyk Joel

Scientists studying rocks in South Africa report evidence for the earliest known earthquake triggered by plate tectonics. The