There is a longstanding debate among scientists regarding the origin of life on Earth. While some propose that life arrived on our planet from space, a recent study suggests a different narrative.
Researchers from Sorbonne University in Paris have put forth a compelling argument. They have discovered that lightning strikes, occurring during volcanic eruptions in present-day Turkey, Peru, and Italy, released significant amounts of nitrogen. This surge of nitrogen played a pivotal role in kickstarting early life forms on Earth.
Nitrogen, a crucial element for the sustenance of life, interacts with oxygen during lightning strikes, leading to the production of nitrogen oxide. This compound is then deposited into the soil, providing a conducive environment for life to thrive.
Samples collected from the ancient volcanic sites in Turkey, Peru, and Italy revealed high concentrations of nitrates in the soil. Surprisingly, these nitrates were of atmospheric origin, indicating that they were not emitted by the volcanoes themselves but were instead carried by lightning to these locations.
‘When considering the various possibilities, volcanic lightning emerges as the most plausible explanation,’ remarked Slimane Bekki, the lead author of the study. He further explained, ‘The association between massive volcanic eruptions and abundant lightning occurrences is well-established.’
Volcanic lightning typically occurs at the onset of volcanic activities, manifesting in ash clouds near the ground and within the stratosphere—a layer of the Earth’s atmosphere. Bekki and his team meticulously investigated sites in Peru, Turkey, and Italy, all renowned for their ancient volcanic remnants. Their analysis confirmed that the nitrates present in the soil originated from atmospheric sources, underscoring the crucial role of lightning in transporting essential elements for life formation.
The significance of nitrogen in Earth’s biosphere cannot be overstated. Previous research has demonstrated that lightning-induced nitrogen fixation can occur irrespective of whether the lightning is triggered by a thunderstorm or a volcanic eruption. However, the study dismissed thunderstorm-induced lightning as a plausible source for life’s emergence due to the limited nitrogen output associated with such events.
The findings of this research shed light on the unique contribution of volcanic lightning in supplying the necessary components for life’s genesis. The formation of nitrogen oxide during volcanic lightning events facilitated the release of amino acids into the soil—a fundamental step in the development of ancient microorganisms.
A separate study conducted by researchers from Johns Hopkins University and Charles University in the Czech Republic corroborated these findings. They emphasized the interconnectedness of all life forms through a shared ancestry, rooted in the amino acids generated by such geological processes.
While various theories abound regarding the origin of life on Earth, this study presents compelling evidence that volcanic lightning, by enriching Earth’s atmosphere with nitrogen, played a pivotal role in fostering early life forms.