Scientists have discovered an ancient mountain system that is three times longer than the Himalayas

Researchers at the Australian National University (ANU) analyzed zircon crystals collected in different parts of the planet. The similarity of individual grains of the mineral, found at a considerable distance from each other, according to scientists, confirms the existence of Supermountain Nuna.

Supermountains are giant mountain formations that existed on the ancient continent of Gondwana in the Southern Hemisphere. It later split into Africa, South America, Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand, the Arabian Peninsula, the Hindustan Peninsula and Madagascar.

To study the history of mountains on Earth, scientists analyze the mineral composition of localities in various regions. Previously, such methods made it possible to find evidence of the existence of the Transgondwan Supermountain, which crossed the entire ancient continent.

In the new work, the researchers studied zircon crystals. They are usually formed under high pressure under large ridges and can persist in the rock even after they have been destroyed. Particular attention was paid to crystals with a low content of lutetium - this rare earth element is most often formed at the foot of high mountains.

Scientists were able to identify common features in the mineral composition of individual zircon crystals with a low content of lutetium. They suggested that the supermountains on Gondwana formed in two stages: the first flowed about 1.8-2 billion years ago, the second - 500-650 million years ago.

After the destruction of the supermountain, a significant amount of minerals, such as iron and phosphorus, got into the atmosphere, soils and ocean. Perhaps a significant amount of oxygen was also released. All this became the starting point for the development of powerful evolutionary processes and, ultimately, the emergence of complex life forms on Earth.

The researchers noted that the formation of Supermountain Nuna coincides with the appearance of the very first eukaryotic cells. As a result of evolution, their core became the basis of plants, animals and fungi.

And the second supermountain, Transgondwan, probably caused the second evolutionary boom. 575 million years ago, the first large animals appeared, and 45 million years later, the Cambrian explosion occurred - an increase in the number of fragments of animal skeletons in fossils.