Researchers have determined that plants trapped in ancient glass may provide clues pertaining to the Earth's environment prior to a major asteroid impact.
Researchers from Brown University led by geologist Pete Schultz found pieces of preserved leaves and organic compounds in a glass-like material which was created after several asteroid impacts in Argentina. The glassy substance not only preserved the natural materials, it also provided clues on the environmental conditions of eons past. Additionally, the matter shed light on ancient environments of Mars.
The glass preserves were formed after extreme temperatures from comet and asteroid impacts melted the soil and rock particles. Eastern Argentina is filled glass preserve-abundant locations - these materials in particular appeared to be created between 6,000 and nine million years ago. During that time, an asteroid impact happened on Earth that was responsible for the extinction of at least 35 animal genera.
The glass samples reportedly held leaf fragments similar to the modern day pampas grass, which is commonly found in Argentina. Analysis also showed that these leaf fragments held hydrocarbons, a chemical common to all living matter.
"We know these were major impacts because of the shocked minerals trapped inside with plant materials," Schultz said in a press release. "These glasses are present in different layers of sediment throughout an area about the size of Texas."
To find out how these fragments were preserved, the team replicated the process by exposing layers of soil and rock through extreme temperatures. According to Schultz, the fragments remained intact due to the water that protects its layers.
"The outside of the leaves takes it for the interior," he explained in a press release. "It's a little like deep frying. The outside fries up quickly but the inside takes much longer to cook."
Schultz explained that these glass fragments could also be present in Mars, since all the materials needed to create them are also found in the Red Planet. The Martian surface is covered with soil and rock and it is also a common area for asteroid and comet impacts.
Further details of this study can be read on the April 15 issue of Geology.
