Rethinking the Origins of Life: Scientists Challenge Textbook Narratives

A recently-published study challenges the prevailing scientific theory that an influx of oxygen into Earth's oceans accelerated the evolution of complex life during the Precambrian Avalon explosion. The study, based on ancient rock samples from the Omani mountain range, suggests that there was likely less oxygen in Earth's oceans at the time of the explosion than previously believed. While oxygen levels still played a role in the proliferation of multicellular species, the decrease in oceanic oxygen may have actually benefited the development of life. The findings call for a revision of textbooks and a rethinking of our understanding of how life arose on Earth.