Massive Meteorite Caused Ancient Tsunami and Boiled Oceans
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have found that a colossal meteorite, first identified in 2014, triggered a tsunami of unprecedented scale in Earth’s history and caused the oceans to boil.
Uncovering Earth’s Ancient Catastrophe
The massive space rock, which dwarfed the one responsible for wiping out the dinosaurs, collided with Earth approximately three billion years ago when the planet was still in its formative stages.
Equipped with sledgehammers, a team of researchers embarked on a journey to the impact site in South Africa to extract rock samples and unravel the mysteries of the cataclysmic event.
Contrary to popular belief, the study revealed that these monumental asteroid impacts not only brought destruction but also fostered the thriving of early life on Earth.
Resilient Early Life
Lead author of the research, Prof Nadja Drabon from Harvard University, expressed, “We now understand that life on Earth persevered in the aftermath of these massive impacts, flourishing and thriving in unexpected ways.”
The meteorite, known as S2, surpassed the size of conventional space rocks. It was estimated to be 40-60km wide with a mass 50-200 times greater than the one that led to the demise of the dinosaurs.
An Ancient Water World
During the collision, Earth resembled a water-covered planet with minimal land masses. Life was rudimentary, consisting of single-celled microorganisms.
The impact site in Eastern Barberton Greenbelt, considered one of Earth’s oldest locations bearing remnants of a meteorite strike, served as a crucial research ground for Prof Drabon and her team.
Chasing Clues From the Past
Undeterred by the rugged terrain, the researchers ventured into the remote mountains, accompanied by armed rangers to safeguard against wild animals and potential threats.
Collecting spherule particles and rock fragments using sledgehammers, the team transported the samples to laboratories for meticulous analysis, with Prof Drabon safeguarding the most valuable pieces in her luggage.
Reconstructing the Catastrophe
The team successfully reconstructed the impact of the S2 meteorite, unveiling a 500km crater formation and a cloud of pulverized rocks that encircled the globe at high speeds.
Prof Drabon vividly described the aftermath as akin to molten rock droplets raining down, triggering a colossal tsunami that reshaped coastlines and evaporated massive volumes of seawater.
Life Finds a Way
While the cataclysmic event caused widespread devastation, it also churned up vital nutrients like phosphorus and iron that nourished early life forms, enabling them to thrive in the aftermath.
The findings, published in the scientific journal PNAS, challenge conventional beliefs and suggest that violent meteorite impacts may have inadvertently fostered the development of life on Earth.
Prof Drabon concluded, “It appears that life encountered favorable conditions post-impact, allowing it to flourish and adapt in ways we never imagined.”
As we delve deeper into Earth’s ancient past, the mysteries of our planet’s resilience and the role of cataclysmic events in shaping life’s evolution continue to unfold.
