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Giant meteorite impact 3.26 billion years ago may have boosted early life on Earth

ctvnews.ca — October 22, 2024, 01:00 PM UTC

Summary: A new study reveals that a giant meteorite impact 3.26 billion years ago may have benefited early life on Earth. Unlike the catastrophic effects of the Chicxulub asteroid, this earlier impact enriched the oceans with nutrients, promoting the growth of single-celled organisms.

The S2 meteorite, significantly larger than the Chicxulub asteroid, caused global chaos but also released essential elements like iron and phosphorus. This led to a spike in microbial life, transforming the previously nutrient-poor oceans into a more fertile environment.

Researchers analyzed geological evidence in South Africa, uncovering layers of impact-related materials. This work enhances understanding of how early life responded to such events, suggesting that impacts may have played a crucial role in life's evolution on Earth.

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