Exploring the Hadean Earth

A uniquely Australian resource 4.4-4.1 Ga zircons from the Jack Hills (WA) represent the only tangible record of the Hadean Eon (4.5-4.0 Ga) and contain information regarding the evolution of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and continental crust during the earliest stages of Earth evolution. A dedicated facility for rapid U-Pb age determination will be established to yield ~4 mg of Hadean zircons for experiments involving short-lived nuclear chronometers (244Pu, 146Sm) and tracers of continental evolution (Hf and O isotopes). These studies stand to radically alter our paradigm for early planetary evolution and bear on the timing of the emergence of life.