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Carbon found in 3.95bn-year-old rocks is remnant of ancient life researchers
Source: The Guardian
Life may have gained a foothold on Earth more than 4bn years ago, according to researchers who believe that fragments of carbon found in rocks in Canada are remnants of ancient organisms.
Researchers in Japan analysed graphite particles in rocks from the Saglek region of northern Labrador and found that they contained potential traces of life. In work last year, the team dated the band of rocks to 3.95bn years old.
The claim that these rocks contain remnants of life now faces intense scrutiny from other scientists, but if the research stands up, it suggests that the first organisms to emerge on Earth did so during one of the most violent periods in the planet’s history. Until 3.8bn years ago, the Earth was pounded by asteroids and comets left over from the formation of the solar system.
Yuji Sano, a senior researcher at the University of Tokyo, said that until now the oldest evidence for life on Earth stood at 3.8bn years, and coincided with the end of the so-called Late Heavy Bombardment. “It may be difficult to create life before 3.8bn years ago due to the bombardment, which may destroy early life,” he said. “But now it is 4bn years. Life started on Earth during the heavy bombardment of meteorites, which is amazing.”
Researchers in Japan analysed graphite particles in rocks from the Saglek region of northern Labrador and found that they contained potential traces of life. In work last year, the team dated the band of rocks to 3.95bn years old.
The claim that these rocks contain remnants of life now faces intense scrutiny from other scientists, but if the research stands up, it suggests that the first organisms to emerge on Earth did so during one of the most violent periods in the planet’s history. Until 3.8bn years ago, the Earth was pounded by asteroids and comets left over from the formation of the solar system.
Yuji Sano, a senior researcher at the University of Tokyo, said that until now the oldest evidence for life on Earth stood at 3.8bn years, and coincided with the end of the so-called Late Heavy Bombardment. “It may be difficult to create life before 3.8bn years ago due to the bombardment, which may destroy early life,” he said. “But now it is 4bn years. Life started on Earth during the heavy bombardment of meteorites, which is amazing.”
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/sep/27/carbon-found-in-395bn-year-old-rocks-is-remnants-of-ancient-life-say-researchers?CMP=edit_2221
Roy Moore begs to differ...
15 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
A new series soon to be premiered on History Channel.
