The EC 002 meteorite is the oldest-known volcanic rock ever found (Credit: Maine Mineral and Gem Museum/Darryl Pitt)

An ancient volcanic space rock found in the Algerian Sahara Desert, may provide scientists with insights into the building blocks of planets. Dubbed Erg Chech 002, or EC 002, the meteorite is believed to be a remnant of a protoplanet dating back 4.6 billion years — about the time when our solar system was being formed.