The Earth’s ever-changing physical geography has intrigued humanity for centuries, with scientists working to explore the history of ancient landforms and how they diverged to form the continents we know today. Now, researchers in Canada can add a new piece to this puzzle.

During a diamond exploration project on Baffin Island, geologists extracted rock samples that scientists at the University of British Columbia soon realized were particularly special, as they revealed new information about one of Earth’s ancient continents. Though they were discovered by chance, these samples now have significant scientific implications. 

The extracted samples were kimberlite, igneous rocks that sometimes contain diamonds. They showed mineral properties that are unique to the North Atlantic craton — part of Earth’s ancient continental crust. For example, the North Atlantic craton is rich in olivine, which was found within the samples.

Other ancient continents have their own unique properties, such as an abundance of gold found within the Superior craton that covers Ontario, Quebec, and part of Manitoba.

Cratons are interior, stable fragments of a continent composed of ancient rock that act as “anchors” to the continental blocks around them. The North Atlantic craton’s continental plate broke into fragments 150 million years ago, stretching from Labrador to Greenland and even Scotland. The discovery of the North Atlantic craton fragments on Baffin Island means the ancient continent is actually 10 per cent larger than previously thought, says University of British Columbia geologist Dr. Maya Kopylova, lead author of the research study published earlier this year.

“[This discovery] is so understandable to the public and so easily recognizable as a milestone, so that’s why it feels so good,” Kopylova says, explaining that oftentimes complex research on rocks and minerals can be difficult to explain to the public. 

“We’ve basically added one more piece to the puzzle.”