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Scientists have suggested that life on Earth may have originated after asteroid impacts.
Researchers have put forward a new hypothesis about the origin of life on Earth: its cradle may have been hydrothermal systems formed after asteroid collisions. The study was published in the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, according to No Worries.
The first hydrothermal vents were discovered in 1977 in the Galápagos Rift. They were found to be inhabited by microorganisms that survived without sunlight, which gave rise to the idea that life could originate in such “deep-sea cauldrons.”
Now, scientists from Rutgers University propose expanding this concept: asteroid impacts not only delivered organic compounds but also created conditions for their development.
Analysis of samples from the asteroids Itokawa, Ryugu, and Bennu revealed the presence of key organic molecules, including adenine and ribose, which could have supported early biochemical processes. This supports the idea that cosmic bodies may have delivered the “ingredients” for life to Earth.
The researchers examined three well-known impact structures — Lonar Lake, Haughton crater, and Chicxulub crater. They found that such sites created not only hydrothermal systems but also freshwater lakes, which may have been even more favorable for the emergence of life.
The authors emphasize that geochemical reactions following asteroid impacts could have been a key factor in the origin of life. Similar processes may also occur on other worlds, such as Europa and Enceladus, where the combination of heat, water, and organic compounds could create conditions suitable for life.
