"Volcanic Lightning: The Spark of Life on Earth"
Scientists have found geological evidence suggesting that volcanic lightning associated with explosive eruptions may have played a crucial role in fixing nitrogen, making it available for biological processes during Earth's early years. The discovery of significant amounts of nitrates in ancient volcanic deposits indicates that rampant volcanism may have been essential in supplying building blocks for life's emergence. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the origin of nitrate deposits and could have important implications for understanding the role of subaerial explosive eruptions in the emergence of life on Earth.