GME BOOKS https://shorturl.at/yHHQJ Formation and Evolution of Life on Earth The origin of life on Earth is a complex and multifaceted topic that has intrigued scientists for decades. Understanding how life began involves exploring various scientific theories, geological conditions, and the necessary ingredients for life. When Did Life on Earth Begin? Earth is estimated to be about 4.5 billion years old. By approximately 4.3 billion years ago, conditions may have become suitable for life to emerge. However, the oldest known fossils date back only to around 3.7 billion years ago. This suggests that there was a significant period during which life could have arisen multiple times but may have been extinguished due to catastrophic events such as asteroid impacts. The evidence from ancient rocks is sparse, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact timeline of life’s emergence. Where Did Life on Earth Begin? Two primary environments are considered potential birthplaces for early life: volcanically active hydrothermal environments both on land and in the ocean. Modern microorganisms thrive in extreme conditions found in places like Iceland and deep-sea hydrothermal vents, where superheated water interacts with magma. These environments could have provided the necessary chemical reactions conducive to forming organic molecules essential for life. Additionally, clay minerals may have played a role by offering protective environments where organic compounds could form and stabilize. There is also a hypothesis suggesting that some building blocks of life were delivered to Earth via comets or asteroids, indicating that similar processes might occur elsewhere in the universe.