During a tumultuous period for our planet around 466 million years ago, Earth was pelted with meteorites and rocked by tsunamis. But geologists have uncovered some strange things about this moment in history.

The new study asserts that Earth's ring formed around 466 million years ago, and stuck around for around 40 million years before dissipating. Researchers say that the existence of such a ring would help solve several puzzles from Earth's past and that much of the data they collected supports its existence.

Research suggests Earth might have once boasted a spectacular ring similar to Saturn's, formed from an asteroid breakup around 466 million years ago. This event coincides with numerous meteorite impacts primarily around the equator and a subsequent period of significant global cooling.