What is the primary reason why crustal evidence of impacts older than a few hundred million years is often absent on Earth?
Answer
Tectonic plates constantly recycle the crust through subduction
Earth's geology is highly active, which is a major factor in the 'erasure' of ancient impact sites. Through the process of plate tectonics, older crustal material is forced downwards beneath other plates and into the mantle, where it is recycled. Any geological record of an impact that is embedded in this crust is consequently destroyed or altered beyond recognition. This, combined with the continuous effects of wind, water erosion, and sediment deposition, means that the older the impact site, the less likely it is to remain detectable on the planet's surface today.
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