A shallow, salty lake in B.C. could point to origins of life on Earth - The Weather Network

Published on Feb. 8, 2024, 12:37 AM

Researchers found Last Chance Lake has right ingredients for formation of early life

Scientists have mused for centuries over questions about the origins of life on Earth. As it turns out, the answer may lie in a small, unassuming lake in British Columbia's Interior.

Last Chance Lake, located about 150 kilometres northwest of Kamloops, B.C., is shallow and filled with murky water.

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A recent study from the University of Washington found it has just the right conditions to be what scientists call a "cradle of life" — a place where life could have spontaneously emerged billions of years ago.

"We're trying to answer one of the biggest unanswered questions in science, which is where did we come from?" said the study's senior author, David Catling.

Catling said Last Chance Lake supports the "warm little pond" hypothesis from 19th century scientist Charles Darwin. Darwin proposed life on Earth could have emerged in shallow lakes with the right ingredients.

A piece of salt crust is held by one of the researchers. Green algae can be seen in the middle, with black sediment at the bottom. (Submitted by David Catling)

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2024-02-08 05:37:00Z
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