Researchers in South Korea have found stromatolites in the Hapcheon impact crater, suggesting that hot lakes formed after asteroid impacts provided a protected environment for oxygen-producing microbes
Ancient asteroid craters may have been safe places for the earliest oxygen-producing life on Earth.
Scientists in South Korea have discovered evidence that suggests asteroid impact craters may have played an important role in the rise of oxygen-producing life on early Earth.
The research team discovered stromatolites within the Hapcheon impact crater, the only verified asteroid impact crater on the Korean Peninsula. Stromatolites are layered rock formations formed by ancient microbial communities, and are considered among the oldest known signs of life on Earth.
Hydrothermal crater lakes may have supported early microbes
The researchers believe that the stromatolites formed in a hydrothermal lake that developed after a massive asteroid impact. Heat from molten rock created during the impact likely kept the water warm and filled it with minerals for long periods, creating an environment where microbial life could thrive.
Stromatolites are usually associated with cyanobacteria, microorganisms that can produce oxygen through photosynthesis. Fossils show that these structures existed at least 3.5 billion years ago.
The team identified several stromatolites in the northwest part of the Patcheon crater. Each was approximately ten to twenty centimeters in diameter. This is the first report of stromatolites at the crater site.
New insights into the oxygen disaster
The discovery will help scientists better explain the oxygen catastrophe, which occurred about 2.4 billion years ago when oxygen levels in Earth's atmosphere rose dramatically.
Hydrothermal lakes formed by asteroid impacts served as a protected biotope where oxygen-producing microbes thrived, the researchers say. These isolated environments may have been local "oxygen oases" before oxygen became widespread across the planet.
Geochemical evidence indicates hot water activity
Chemical analysis of the stromatolites revealed traces of both extraterrestrial material and the surrounding bedrock. The researchers also found evidence that high-temperature water had altered the formations.
The innermost layers showed stronger hydrothermal signatures, indicating that they formed at an earlier, warmer stage in the crater lake's history.
After impact and gradually cooled over time.
Possible implications for ancient Mars
The findings may also be relevant beyond Earth.
Short FAQ
What was discovered in the Patcheon crater?
Researchers in South Korea have found stromatolites, layered rock formations created by ancient microbial communities, inside the Hapcheon impact crater. According to the source, it is the only verified asteroid impact crater on the Korean Peninsula.
Why is the discovery important?
It strengthens the possibility that impact craters were not only areas of destruction, but also created warm, mineral-rich lakes where microbes could thrive.
What does that have to do with the oxygen disaster?
The researchers suggest that such lakes could have served as local “oxygen oases” before oxygen became common in Earth’s atmosphere about 2.4 billion years ago.
What's the connection to Mars?
If water-filled impact craters could have supported microbial life on ancient Earth, similar environments on ancient Mars may be a promising target for searching for signs of ancient life.
For the scientific article: DOI: 10.1038/s43247-026-03206-7
More of the topic in Hayadan:
