Antarctica's Ice Reveals Remnants of Asteroid Collision 2.5 Billion Years Ago

Approximately 2.5 billion years ago, Earth experienced a cataclysmic event that affected all life forms. Neither volcanoes nor molten rocks remain as evidence, only microscopic stones deeply buried under the Antarctic ice. Now, scientists have confirmed these are remnants of an ancient asteroid that vaporized in the atmosphere without reaching the surface. Researchers discovered 120 particles smaller than a millimeter. These fragments are rich in olivine and spinel, minerals typical of asteroid material. Chemical analysis confirmed their extraterrestrial origin. "This isn't just dust. It's a trace of a cosmic catastrophe we hadn't noticed before," the study authors note. According to estimates, an asteroid with a diameter of about 100-150 meters entered the atmosphere and vaporized. The energy released during its disintegration scattered debris over vast distances, including Antarctica, where it settled on the ice cover and was buried under layers of snow for eons. Although there is no crater, the consequences were significant: such a large explosion could have influenced the climate and triggered local catastrophes, especially in the southern hemisphere. This discovery is another argument in favor of the idea that Antarctic ice is not just frozen water but an archive of Earth's ancient history, including cosmic events. With each new discovery, it becomes increasingly clear that kilometers of snow hold more answers than we previously thought. Earth is the third planet in terms of distance from the Sun in the Solar System.