In "A Short History of Nearly Everything," Bill Bryson highlights the contrasting ages of oceanic and continental rocks. While continental rocks can be billions of years old, ocean floors appear remarkably younger, with the oldest samples only around 175 million years. This significant difference raises intriguing questions about the geological processes that shape our planet.

By examining the youthfulness of ocean floors, Bryson emphasizes a puzzling aspect of Earth's geology. This disparity not only sheds light on the formation and recycling of oceanic crust but also invites further exploration into the dynamics of tectonic plates and how they influence the planet's surface over time.