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Ancient Supercontinent

All articles tagged with #ancient supercontinent

science-and-technology2 years ago

Uncovering Clues to Rare Pink Diamonds: From Supercontinent Breakups to Volcanic Revelations

Researchers studying the Argyle diamond deposit in Western Australia have gained a better understanding of the geological conditions necessary for the formation of pink diamonds. Using lasers to analyze minerals and rocks, they discovered that the pink diamond-rich site formed during the breakup of an ancient supercontinent called Nuna, around 1.3 billion years ago. The study suggests that the junctures of ancient continents may be important for finding pink diamonds and could guide exploration for other deposits.

science2 years ago

Ancient Supercontinent Reveals Surprising Origins of Bees

A new study led by researchers from Washington State University reveals that bees originated over 120 million years ago from the ancient supercontinent Gondwana, which included Africa and South America. The study suggests that bees evolved earlier, diversified faster, and spread wider than previously believed. By analyzing genes from over 200 bee species and comparing them with bee fossils, the researchers found evidence that bees originated in arid regions of western Gondwana during the early Cretaceous period. The study also highlights the parallel partnership between bees and flowering plants, as bees moved north and colonized different continents. Understanding the evolutionary history of bees and their ecological niches could aid in the conservation of these important pollinators.