The oldest rocks on Earth are about 4 billion years old. Why aren't there many rocks older than this?

Question

Group of answer choices

Earth's early atmosphere was so acidic that it did not permit any rocks to form.

There was no liquid water on the surface before 4 Ga, so no rocks were deposited there.

Earth itself is only 4 billion years old, so there can't be any rocks older than this.

The earlier surface of Earth was completely transformed by meteorite impacts, volcanism, and erosion.

Geologists just haven't looked hard enough to find them.

Answer 1

The most accurate answer to the question regarding why there aren't many rocks older than about 4 billion years is:

The earlier surface of Earth was completely transformed by meteorite impacts, volcanism, and erosion.

This means that the geological activity and processes that occurred in Earth's early history likely destroyed or altered many of the original rocks that formed shortly after the planet's formation, making it difficult to find rocks older than approximately 4 billion years.