Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
A recent study revealed that the Earth was hit meteor a giant 4 times the size of Mount Everest at around 3.26 billion years ago.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows how the “S2” meteorite impact more than 3 billion years ago relates to geological evidence found in present-day South Africa’s Barberton Greenstone belt.
Nadja Drabon, an early Earth geologist and assistant professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Harvard University, and her team collected and examined rock samples separated by several centimeters and analyzed the sedimentology, geochemistry and carbon isotope composition they left behind.
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From this analysis, Drabon’s team provided an interesting picture of what happened on the day when a meteorite the size of four Mount Everests hit Earth.
“Imagine yourself standing off the coast of Cape Cod, on the edge of shallow water. It’s a low-energy environment, without strong currents. Then suddenly, there’s a giant tsunami that sweeps up and tears up the seabed,” said Drabon, quoted by Science Daily , Monday (21/10).
The S2 meteorite is estimated to be 200 times larger than the meteorite that killed the dinosaurs. This meteor triggered a tsunami that stirred up the ocean and washed debris from land to coastal areas.
This study states that the heat caused by the impact caused the top layer of the ocean to boil, as well as heating the atmosphere. Then, a thick cloud of dust enveloped everything, killing any ongoing photosynthesis activity.
However, bacteria have a resilient nature. According to the research team’s analysis, bacterial life recovered quickly after the blow occurred.
Thus, there was a sharp increase in the population of unicellular organisms that feed on phosphorus and iron elements. Iron was likely stirred from deep oceans into shallow waters as a result of the tsunami, and phosphorus was delivered to Earth by the S2 meteorite as well as from increased weathering and erosion on land.
Drabon’s analysis shows that bacteria that metabolize iron will grow rapidly after the impact of the tsunami.
The shift toward iron-loving bacteria, although short-lived, is a key piece of the puzzle describing early life on Earth.
According to Drabon’s study, the S2 meteor impact could have a positive impact.
“We think of impact events as a disaster for life. However, what this research highlights is that these impacts had benefits for life, especially in the early days… they actually allowed life to develop,” said Drabon.
Furthermore, the results of this study were obtained from the hard work of geologists such as Drabon and his students. They climb into mountain crevices that contain sedimentary evidence from early bursts of rock that embedded themselves in the ground and were preserved over time in the Earth’s crust.
Chemical signatures hidden in thin layers of rock help Drabon and his students collect evidence of tsunamis and other catastrophic events.
The Barberton Greenstone Belt in South Africa, where Drabon is focusing much of his current research, contains evidence of at least eight meteor impact events including S2.
He and his team plan to study the area further to investigate more deeply about Earth and its history as it relates to meteorites.
(lom/dmi)
[Gambas:Video CNN]
Did a Meteorite Give Earth a Makeover?
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia
Gather ’round, dear readers! It seems our good ol’ Earth isn’t just the planet where we complain about traffic jams and bad Wi-Fi. No, it has its fair share of drama, too! A recent study suggests that it was whacked by a meteorite—a colossal beast four times the size of Mount Everest—around 3.26 billion years ago. Yes, you heard that right! Something big enough to redefine the term ‘impact’ crashed into our humble abode long before ‘Netflix and chill’ was even a twinkle in the universe’s eye.
This scientific revelation comes from a study nestled comfortably in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The research draws an intriguing line connecting the “S2” meteorite impact to geological clues found in present-day South Africa’s Barberton Greenstone belt. Who knew that geological analysis could be as thrilling as a mystery novel? Well, it certainly beats reading the side of a cereal box!
Led by Nadja Drabon, an early Earth geologist (yes, that’s a real title!), her dedicated team battled through mountain crevices to collect rock samples. They examined these rocks like scientists trying to decide whether to trust their exes—analyzing sedimentology, geochemistry, and carbon isotopes. Basically, they were geologists with a penchant for hunting down remnants of ancient chaos—like archaeologists who only dig up the hard-hitting gossip of Earth’s history!
And what did they find during this fascinating detective work? Drabon painted a vivid picture of that fateful day when this meteorite, the size of four Mount Everests, plummeted into Earth. Cue the dramatic music: imagine yourself on the serene coast of Cape Cod when suddenly, a cataclysmic tsunami crashes onto the shore, tossing the seabed around like confetti at a New Year’s Eve party! Don’t you just love when nature goes wild?
Now, this S2 meteorite is estimated to be 200 times heftier than the rock that wiped out the dinosaurs. Let that sink in for a moment—a meteor so massive it could practically qualify for a heavyweight championship title!
Upon impact, the ocean wasn’t left unscathed. The heat was so intense that it boiled the ocean’s top layer, possibly leaving the atmosphere steamy enough to warrant a couple’s spa day. In a poetic twist, this dust cloud obliterated any ongoing photosynthesis—which, for any plants wishing they could enjoy a little sunbathing, was a total buzzkill. But, surprise surprise! Just when it seemed Earth was on the brink of an apocalypse, the resilient little bacteria grabbed their surfboards and went into overdrive.
Drabon’s research indicates that these microscopic champs thrived in the wake of turmoil. By feasting on all the iron and phosphorus stirred up by the impact and tsunami, life sprang back like a phoenix from the ashes. It’s like a cosmic reset button, but instead of bringing back our favorite sitcoms, it brought forth iron-loving organisms to populate the planet. Talk about a plot twist that even a soap opera would envy!
So, here’s the kicker: while we often associate meteoric impacts with doom and gloom for life on Earth, this study suggests a silver lining. Drabon posits that these cosmic collisions may have actually nurtured life during its fledgling moments. It’s the universe’s version of a rough life lesson: sometimes you need a meteor to come crashing in to remind you of your inner strength!
The evidence they gathered comes from back-breaking work; climbing into crevices like rock-climbing enthusiasts searching for their next Instagram post. Thanks to geologists like Drabon and her team, we get to peer into the window of Earth’s tumultuous inception through the chemical breadcrumbs hidden in layers of rock. Each sediment tells a story, and this one is all about surviving blasts from beyond the stars!
In Drabon’s words, the Barberton Greenstone Belt is like an ancient superhero cape, containing proof of at least eight meteor impacts, including our star player, the S2. The team plans to delve deeper into this rocky theater over the coming years—always looking for more evidence in the epic saga of Earth and its celestial visitors. Next time you think your day is crummy, just remember that Earth survived an astronomical beating and bounced back. If that’s not inspiration for getting out of bed, I don’t know what is!
T of the microbial world, showcasing the remarkable resilience of life on Earth. Bacteria that metabolize iron surged in numbers, riding the wave of nutrients delivered by the S2 meteorite and the massive upheaval caused by the tsunami. For a brief moment, life leaned heavily into its iron-loving phase, marking a significant yet transient shift in the microbial landscape of early Earth.
Drabon’s findings challenge the conventional notion of meteorite impacts as solely catastrophic events for life. Instead, this research highlights how such colossal collisions may have inadvertently provided the ingredients necessary for life to flourish during its formative stages. Just imagine Earth’s microbial underclass cheerfully evolving amidst chaos—it’s a plot twist that makes for a great story in the epic tale of our planet.
In addition to the vibrant life that flourished post-impact, Drabon and her team are hard at work delving even deeper into Earth’s history at the Barberton Greenstone Belt. This geological treasure trove holds clues to not just the S2 meteorite event, but at least seven other meteor impacts throughout Earth’s early history. It’s like a natural history museum where the exhibits keep expanding!
As they painstakingly analyze mineral records, sediment layers, and chemical markers, Drabon and her students are piecing together the narrative of our planet’s tumultuous early years. The meticulous work they’re undertaking may well reveal not only the details of these cosmic events but also the broader implications for the evolution of life on Earth, solidifying our place in the universe and connecting us to a much larger cosmic story.
So, while you might feel bogged down by everyday life, just remember that the very ground you stand on has a past that’s full of drama, intrigue, and unforeseen consequences—fueled by giant meteorites and resilient little bacteria that, against all odds, managed to thrive. Who said Earth was boring?
