Researchers at Curtin University have developed a technique using krypton gas in microscopic zircon crystals to track the history of Earth's landscapes over millions of years. The method, which relies on cosmic rays striking surface minerals, reveals how erosion and sediment movement have shaped terrains in response to climate and tectonic changes. This approach could also aid in locating mineral deposits in Australia.
An international team led by scientists from Curtin University's Timescales of Mineral Systems Group in the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences has introduced a novel method to investigate ancient landscapes. Collaborating with researchers from the University of Göttingen and the University of Cologne, the group analyzed zircon crystals extracted from ancient beach sands. These durable minerals, known for resisting weathering and erosion over millions of years, capture krypton gas produced when cosmic rays—high-energy particles from space—hit them near Earth's surface.
By quantifying the trapped krypton, the researchers can determine the duration that zircon grains spent exposed at the surface before burial. This acts as a "cosmic clock," providing insights into the pace of landscape erosion, sediment reworking, and stabilization across geological timescales.
Lead author Dr. Maximilian Dröllner, an Adjunct Curtin Research Fellow affiliated with the University of Göttingen, explained the significance: "Our planet's history shows climate and tectonic forces can control how landscapes behave over very long timescales. This research helps us understand what happens when sea levels change and how deep-seated Earth movements influence the evolution of landscapes."
The findings indicate that in tectonically stable regions with high sea levels, erosion rates decrease, allowing sediments to persist and be reworked for millions of years.
Co-author Professor Chris Kirkland, head of the Timescales of Mineral Systems Group, highlighted broader applications: "As we modify natural systems, we can expect changes in how sediment is stored in river basins and along coastlines and continental shelves. Our results show that these processes can fundamentally reshape landscapes, not just coastlines, over time."
Associate Professor Milo Barham, another co-author from the group, connected the research to resource exploration: "Climate doesn't just influence ecosystems and weather patterns, it also controls where mineral resources end up and how accessible they become. Extended periods of sediment storage allow durable minerals to gradually concentrate while less stable materials break down, explaining why Australia hosts some of the world's most significant mineral sand deposits."
The study, titled "Ancient landscape evolution tracked through cosmogenic krypton in detrital zircon," appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2026.
