Yellowstone & The Origin of LIfe on Earth

Yellowstone's hot springs are considered to be excellent models for the conditions under which life may have first emerged, thanks to their mineral-rich, high-temperature environments.

These ancient-like conditions, particularly the cycling of wet and dry phases, are studied for clues about the early chemical reactions that may have led to life. Additionally, the diverse microbial communities found there, known as extremophiles, have provided key tools for modern science.

Scientists have studied deep-sea hydrothermal vents as a potential birthplace of life. A Nature Communications study shows clues to the mystery.

This could also help us find where life might be on other planets, or moons, even in our own solar system.

"The inspiration to explore land-based hot springs as potential cradles for the origin of life stems from the unique set of conditions they offer, which differ significantly from deep-sea hydrothermal vents," Jingbo Nan, a co-author of the study, told Newsweek.

Grand Prismatic is stunning. It can't be ignored. So, what causes that deep blue color? The bedrock here in Yellowstone is really silica-rich. So these fluids come out saturated in silica. Now this silica refracts sunlight, blue sunlight, and that’s why you see it as blue.

Below the bubbling surface of Grand Prismatic exists a diverse system of microbes, which scientists have been studying for decades.

That water coming out of Grand Prismatic is somewhere around 89 degrees centigrade. This kind of life thrives there.

But Grand Prismatic is not the only Yellowstone hot spring that they are studying. It's just the most famous. Yellowstone has more hot springs than anywhere else on earth. There is a lot of material for researchers to consider.

Scroll down to see more amazing Wyoming scientific and natural features.