Meteorite impact three billion years ago may have sparked early life on Earth
Summary: A new study suggests that a massive meteorite impact, known as the S2 impact, may have played a crucial role in the emergence of early life on Earth. This meteorite, estimated to be four times the size of Mount Everest, struck the planet three billion years ago.
The impact created significant geological changes, including massive tsunamis and boiling oceans. These conditions likely disrupted existing ecosystems but also stirred up nutrients like iron and phosphorus, which could have supported the rapid growth of hardy bacteria.
Researchers believe that this influx of nutrients allowed unicellular organisms to thrive, potentially leading to the evolution of more complex life forms. The findings provide new insights into Earth's early history and the development of life.
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