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Giant meteorite impact 3.2 billion years ago may have boosted early life on Earth

cnn.com — October 22, 2024, 01:00 PM UTC

Summary: A massive meteorite, the size of four Mount Everests, struck Earth 3.26 billion years ago, potentially benefiting early life. Unlike the catastrophic Chicxulub impact, this event enriched the oceans with nutrients, aiding the growth of single-celled organisms.

Researchers studied geological evidence in South Africa, finding signs of eight ancient impacts. The S2 meteorite's collision caused global chaos, including tsunamis and atmospheric dust, but also released essential nutrients like phosphorus, which helped life recover and thrive.

The study highlights how different impacts affected early life on Earth. While the S2 event led to a nutrient boost, the Chicxulub impact caused severe temperature drops. This research opens new avenues for understanding the relationship between meteorite impacts and the evolution of life.

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Scale & Impact5.5
Positivity6.1
Credibility8.5
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