Close Menu
Interstellar NewsInterstellar News
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Elon Musk Bids $97.4 Billion for OpenAI Control Amid Feud with Altman
    • China and Hong Kong Stocks Fall Amid AI and Chip Cooling, US Tariff Fears
    • Judge Halts Trump’s NIH Grant Cuts
    • Blue Origin NS-29 to Advance Lunar Exploration Technologies
    • Brazil Bans Crypto Payments for Iris Scans by Tools for Humanity
    • EU Pushes AI and Biotech to Compete with US and China
    • Judge Halts SpaceX Lawsuit Challenging DOJ Over Hiring Discrimination
    • MIT Unveils Robotic Insects to Revolutionise Artificial Pollination in Farming
    Interstellar NewsInterstellar News
    Write for Us
    Sunday, June 15
    • Space
    • Science
    • AI and Robotics
    • Industry News
    Interstellar NewsInterstellar News
    Home » Ancient Meteorite Impact Acted as “Fertilizer Bomb” for Early Microbes

    Ancient Meteorite Impact Acted as “Fertilizer Bomb” for Early Microbes

    Aditya LenkaBy Aditya LenkaOctober 22, 2024 Science No Comments3 Mins Read
    Ancient Meteorite Impact

    Ancient Meteorite Impact: A Catastrophe That Boosted Early Life

    The asteroid that struck Earth 66 million years ago and caused the extinction of the dinosaurs is infamous. However, a much larger meteorite—up to 200 times bigger—hit Earth 3.26 billion years ago, triggering even more widespread destruction. Surprisingly, new research reveals that this cataclysmic event may have actually played a role in supporting early life on Earth.


    A Massive Impact with Unexpected Benefits

    Scientists have studied ancient rocks in the Barberton Greenstone Belt in South Africa, where evidence of this massive impact has been preserved. The meteorite, a carbonaceous chondrite rich in carbon and phosphorus, struck with tremendous force. Its diameter was estimated to be between 23 and 36 miles (37-58 km), making it vastly larger than the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs.

    Harvard geologist Nadja Drabon, the study’s lead author, explained that this event was quick and ferocious. The ancient meteorite impact vaporised rock, sent dust into the atmosphere, and caused global darkness within hours. A worldwide tsunami followed, devastating coastlines. The atmosphere heated so intensely that parts of the ocean began to boil. Yet, despite the devastation, life bounced back stronger than before.

    “Giant Fertilizer Bomb” for Early Life

    During the Paleoarchean Era, Earth was very different from today. It was mostly a “water world,” with very little land and no oxygen in the atmosphere. Life was dominated by simple microorganisms like bacteria and archaea, which had no cell nuclei. These early life forms proved to be remarkably resilient.

    According to Drabon, the meteorite impact acted like a “giant fertilizer bomb.” The phosphorus from the meteorite, combined with iron churned up from the ocean floor by the tsunami, created a nutrient-rich environment perfect for microbial life. Phosphorus is essential for genetic processes, while iron provides energy for many types of microbes.

    While organisms that relied on sunlight were wiped out, those in deeper, iron-rich waters thrived. The abundance of key nutrients allowed life to recover quickly, thriving within years to decades after the event.

    Resilience of Early Life

    The researchers found various clues in ancient rocks, including chemical signatures of the meteorite and spherical structures formed from melted rock. These discoveries indicate that life not only survived the impact but also adapted and flourished afterward.

    Harvard geologist and study co-author Andrew Knoll highlighted how early life was highly adaptable. Unlike the complex life forms that perished in later impacts like the one that ended the Cretaceous Period, these simple microorganisms were versatile and capable of rapid reproduction.

    “Life was resilient in the face of a giant impact,” said Drabon, noting that while meteorite strikes are often viewed as catastrophic, this event 3.26 billion years ago had lasting benefits for Earth’s earliest life forms.

    Author

    • Aditya Lenka
      Aditya Lenka

      A multi-faceted professional with a diverse range of skills and experiences. He currently works as a Producer, Digital Marketer, and Journalist for several well-known media outlets, namely StratNewsGlobal, BharatShakti, and Interstellar. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Aditya has covered a wide range of topics and events across India, bringing a unique perspective to his work.When he's not busy producing content, Aditya enjoys exploring new places and cuisines, having traveled extensively throughout India. He's also an avid writer and poet, often penning his thoughts and musings in his free time. And when he wants to unwind and relax, Aditya spends time with his two loyal companions, Zorro and Pablo, his beloved dogs.Aditya's dynamic personality and varied interests make him a unique individual, always eager to learn and experience new things.

      View all posts


    Featured
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Reddit Telegram WhatsApp
    Aditya Lenka
    Aditya Lenka

      A multi-faceted professional with a diverse range of skills and experiences. He currently works as a Producer, Digital Marketer, and Journalist for several well-known media outlets, namely StratNewsGlobal, BharatShakti, and Interstellar. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Aditya has covered a wide range of topics and events across India, bringing a unique perspective to his work.When he's not busy producing content, Aditya enjoys exploring new places and cuisines, having traveled extensively throughout India. He's also an avid writer and poet, often penning his thoughts and musings in his free time. And when he wants to unwind and relax, Aditya spends time with his two loyal companions, Zorro and Pablo, his beloved dogs.Aditya's dynamic personality and varied interests make him a unique individual, always eager to learn and experience new things.

      Keep Reading

      Elon Musk Bids $97.4 Billion for OpenAI Control Amid Feud with Altman

      China and Hong Kong Stocks Fall Amid AI and Chip Cooling, US Tariff Fears

      Judge Halts Trump’s NIH Grant Cuts

      Blue Origin NS-29 to Advance Lunar Exploration Technologies

      Brazil Bans Crypto Payments for Iris Scans by Tools for Humanity

      EU Pushes AI and Biotech to Compete with US and China

      Add A Comment

      Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

      Latest Posts

      Elon Musk Bids $97.4 Billion for OpenAI Control Amid Feud with Altman

      February 11, 2025

      China and Hong Kong Stocks Fall Amid AI and Chip Cooling, US Tariff Fears

      February 11, 2025

      Judge Halts Trump’s NIH Grant Cuts

      February 11, 2025

      Blue Origin NS-29 to Advance Lunar Exploration Technologies

      January 25, 2025

      Brazil Bans Crypto Payments for Iris Scans by Tools for Humanity

      January 25, 2025

      EU Pushes AI and Biotech to Compete with US and China

      January 25, 2025

      Judge Halts SpaceX Lawsuit Challenging DOJ Over Hiring Discrimination

      January 25, 2025

      MIT Unveils Robotic Insects to Revolutionise Artificial Pollination in Farming

      January 24, 2025

      Windracers Ultra Mark 2 Drone: Transforming Humanitarian Aid and Climate Research

      January 24, 2025

      Europe Can Compete with SpaceX, Says ESA Chief

      January 24, 2025

      Subscribe to News

      Get the latest sports news from NewsSite about world, sports and politics.

      • Astronomical Events
      • Space Missions
      • Industry News
      • Science
      Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram LinkedIn YouTube
      © 2025 Interstellar News, A unit of BharatShakti Communications LLP
      • About Us
      • Contributors
      • Copyright
      • Contact
      • Write for Us

      Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.