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Cited by 140Origins and Evolution of LifePaleontology and Stratigraphy of FossilsEarth Systems and Cosmic Evolution

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Constraining the Time Interval for the Origin of Life on Earth

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Pearce, Ben K.D., Tupper, Andrew S., Pudritz, Ralph E., Higgs, Paul G.·2018·Astrobiology
DOI 10.1089/ast.2017.1674
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Abstract

Estimates of the time at which life arose on Earth make use of two types of evidence. First, astrophysical and geophysical studies provide a timescale for the formation of Earth and the Moon, for large impact events on early Earth, and for the cooling of the early magma ocean. From this evidence, we can deduce a habitability boundary, which is the earliest point at which Earth became habitable. Second, biosignatures in geological samples, including microfossils, stromatolites, and chemical isotope ratios, provide evidence for when life was actually present. From these observations we can deduce a biosignature boundary, which is the earliest point at which there is clear evidence that life existed. Studies with molecular phylogenetics and records of the changing level of oxygen in the atmosphere give additional information that helps to determine the biosignature boundary. Here, we review the data from a wide range of disciplines to summarize current information on the timings of these two boundaries. The habitability boundary could be as early as 4.5 Ga, the earliest possible estimate of the time at which Earth had a stable crust and hydrosphere, or as late as 3.9 Ga, the end of the period of heavy meteorite bombardment. The lack of consensus on whether there was a late heavy meteorite bombardment that was significant enough to prevent life is the largest uncertainty in estimating the time of the habitability boundary. The biosignature boundary is more closely constrained. Evidence from carbon isotope ratios and stromatolite fossils both point to a time close to 3.7 Ga. Life must have emerged in the interval between these two boundaries. The time taken for life to appear could, therefore, be within 200 Myr or as long as 800 Myr. Key Words: Origin of life-Astrobiology-Habitability-Biosignatures-Geochemistry-Early Earth. Astrobiology 18, 343-364.

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Metadata

Authors
Pearce, B. K. D., Tupper, A. S., Pudritz, R. E., & Higgs, P. G.
Affiliations
McMaster University (CA)
ORCID
Venue
Astrobiology
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2018-03-01
Volume
18
Issue
3
Pages
343-364
ISSN
  • 1531-1074 (ISSN-L)
  • 1557-8070
DOI
10.1089/ast.2017.1674
OpenAlex
W2950877648
Cited by
140
References
157
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 7
FWCI
6.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.liebertpub.com/nv/resources-tools/text-and-data-mining-policy/121/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Astrobiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Origins and Evolution of Life
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Earth Systems and Cosmic Evolution
Keywords
origin of life, early Earth, biosignatures, Late Heavy Bombardment, carbon isotope ratio, stromatolites, microfossils, atmospheric oxygenation, molecular phylogeny, Moon formation, Earth formation
MeSH terms
Origin of Life, Carbon Isotopes, Fossils, Phylogeny, Time Factors, Water, Earth, Planet, Exobiology, Evolution, Molecular

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