A novel research carried out by researchers from Rochester University in New York has unveiled that earth's magnetic field shielding that protect the planet from harmful rays and winds is older than what has scientists thought earlier.

The researchers have affirmed that the magnetic field is at least four billion years old, making it around 550 million years older than the earlier thoughts of scientists. For the study, the researchers have carried out in-depth study of crystals discovered in rock samples in Jack Hills in Western Australia.

In the study, the researchers have focused on a mineral known as magnetite, which has ancient zircon crystals from the Jack Hills. The researchers stated that magnetite contains the record of magnetic field strength at the time when the mineral got locked in the zircon.

Upon assessment, it was found that magnetite dated from around 3.2 billion to 4.2 billion years ago. Therefore, the researchers concluded that earth had magnetic field during that time period.

Dr. Jonathan Mound of the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds explained the need of having the magnetic field by affirming that the magnetic field is an important property of earth and it is what makes earth different from other planets.

Presence of molten iron in earth's core leads to magnetic field. It is said that without the presence of the magnetic field, life would not have emerged on earth.