Which mountain range is considered the oldest on Earth?

The Makhonjwa Mountains are considered the oldest mountain range on Earth. Also called the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains, they lie in northeastern South Africa and extend into Eswatini, forming part of the Barberton Greenstone Belt.

Their distinction comes from the age and preservation of their rocks. Geological formations in the belt date from roughly 3.6 to 3.25 billion years ago, making them a rare surviving record of the Archean Earth. The rocks preserve evidence of ancient volcanic activity, early oceans, meteorite impacts, and some of the oldest signs of life.

A common mix-up is confusing “oldest” with “highest” or “most rugged.” The Makhonjwa Mountains reach only about 1,800 metres, but their geological history is vastly older than that of famous ranges such as the Himalayas, Alps, or Rockies. The area was designated the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018.