Somewhere between 3.5 and 3.8 billion years ago, the first signs of life appeared in Earth's primordial oceans. Scientists believe that simple organic molecules formed in these waters, possibly catalyzed by volcanic activity, deep-sea hydrothermal vents, or even extraterrestrial sources like meteorites. These molecules eventually combined to form self-replicating RNA, the precursor to modern DNA. Over millions of years, these early biochemical processes led to the emergence of single-celled organisms, such as bacteria and archaea, which are the ancestors of all life on Earth today.
Fossil evidence from stromatolites—layered rock formations created by ancient microbial colonies—suggests that these primitive life forms were already thriving by this time. They played a crucial role in shaping Earth's atmosphere by releasing oxygen through photosynthesis, eventually leading to the Great Oxygenation Event. The origin of life remains one of the greatest mysteries of science, but its emergence marked the beginning of the evolutionary journey that would give rise to the vast diversity of life seen today.
How long has it been since the Origin of Life?
3 months,
3 days,
10h : 49m : 0s
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