A massive meteorite impact 3.26 billion years ago, between 50 and 200 times larger than the one that wiped out the dinosaurs, may have unexpectedly fostered life on Earth. According to new research led by Harvard University geologist Nadja Drabon, the enormous upheaval caused by the impact churned up nutrients that allowed some early microbes to thrive.
The meteorite, hitting Earth in an event known as “S2,” left its mark in South Africa’s Barberton Greenstone Belt. Drabon’s team analyzed the ancient rock layers, reconstructing the chaotic aftermath of the impact. The collision created a thick haze that blocked sunlight and triggered tsunamis that dredged the ocean floor, releasing vital elements like iron and phosphorus.
These elements, essential for microbial life, likely caused a surge in the population of microbes that could metabolize them, especially in shallow waters. While the impact was devastating for many early life forms, it provided the nutrients needed for certain microbes to flourish.
“Impact events are often seen as disastrous, but this study suggests that early life on Earth may have benefitted from them,” said Drabon.
This research challenges the view of meteorites as purely destructive forces, showing that some impacts may have been key to the development of life. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, opens new questions about how Earth’s early environment was shaped by such colossal events, potentially laying the groundwork for later evolutionary explosions.
Further studies of the Barberton Greenstone Belt could reveal more about this pivotal time in Earth’s history.
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