How we’re inspired by Australia
Australia. What an epic country.
While in other parts of the world new landmasses are still being birthed by undersea volcanic eruptions, some of Earth’s oldest biological and geological stories are archived right here in the rocks and plants and waters of Australia.
Recently in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, scientists discovered the traces of a crater caused by meteor impact. At an incredible 3.5 billion years old, it’s the oldest yet found in the world and a similar age to Earth’s earliest known life forms—stromatolites—whose fossils have also been found here.
A ‘mere’ 200 million years ago, Australia began breaking away from the supercontinent Gondwanaland to begin a journey north and east to where it is now. It brought with it the living flora and fauna found nowhere else on Earth. For example, rainforests on Australia’s east coast are directly linked to Gondwanaland through various plant and animal species. Not only that, the ancient animals and plants that lived and died during this time eventually became coal.
Compared to these mind-blowing timeframes, the era we live in wouldn’t even register as the smallest fraction of a nanosecond. The natural world: what an incredible survivor. Australia: what an epic country.
