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Briefing: Tectonic shift: Earth was already moving 3.5 billion years ago

Strategic angle: Scientists have uncovered the oldest direct evidence yet that Earth’s tectonic plates were on the move 3.5 billion years ago.

Editorial Staff · March 21, 2026 · 1 min read

Oldest direct evidence of tectonic plate movement found.

Analysis of magnetic fingerprints in ancient rocks.

Reconstruction of Earth's slow drift over billions of years.