Scientists unveil theory: Earth once had Saturn-like rings

Scientists claim that over 450 million years ago, our planet could have been surrounded by a ring system based on the analysis of craters from asteroids. Experts from Monash University presented a revolutionary theory in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters. According to them, about 460 million years ago, a ring system similar to the one that surrounds Saturn formed in Earth's orbit.

During this time, in a geological period called the Ordovician, meteoritic bombardment significantly increased. Researchers reached their conclusions after analyzing 21 well-visible craters in various parts of the world. They were formed by asteroid impacts, all in a specific location.

All the craters are located within 30 degrees of the equator. Scientists note that over 70 per cent of the Earth's continental crust lies outside this region. "Ordinary" asteroids hit the Earth randomly, resulting in an even distribution of impact craters. This can be observed, for example, on the Moon or Mars.

Scientists believe that in the past, a large asteroid approached the Earth. Near our planet, it could have broken up under tidal forces, creating a ring of rocks around the planet, similar to the rings present today around Saturn and other gas giants.

- Over millions of years, material from this ring gradually fell to Earth, creating the spike in meteorite impacts observed in the geological record. We also see that layers in sedimentary rocks from this period contain extraordinary amounts of meteorite debris. What makes this finding even more intriguing is the potential climate implications of such a ring system – says Prof. Andy Tomkins, the study author.

Researchers speculate that the ring could have cast a shadow on Earth, limiting sunlight and contributing to the global cooling that occurred in a period known as the Hirnantian. This period (at the end of the Ordovician) is considered the coldest time in the last 500 million years. Researchers also wonder if the Earth had more rings in its history and if they influenced the Earth's climate.

- The idea that a ring system could have influenced global temperatures adds a new layer of complexity to our understanding of how extra-terrestrial events may have shaped Earth's climate – emphasizes Prof. Tomkins.