Lightning-Fueled Prebiotic Chemistry: Revisiting the Miller-Urey Experiment in the Context of Early Earth's Geology and Alternative Origin of Life Theories

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1. Verfasser: Del Amo Castillo, IÑAKI
Format: Recurso digital
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: Zenodo 2025
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author Del Amo Castillo, IÑAKI
author_facet Del Amo Castillo, IÑAKI
contents <p>The origin of life on Earth remains one of the most intriguing scientific questions. The Miller-Urey experiment, conducted in 1953, demonstrated the synthesis of organic molecules under simulated early Earth conditions, emphasizing the potential role of lightning in prebiotic chemistry. This paper revisits the experiment by exploring the influence of geological and atmospheric conditions on the formation of life in small, localized ponds, rather than vast oceans. Mathematical calculations based on early Earth atmospheric models, lightning frequency, and energy inputs support the hypothesis that small, concentrated environments were more favorable for complex organic synthesis. The study also compares these findings with alternative theories, such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents and extraterrestrial organic delivery, and discusses future implications for both Earth’s early biosphere and astrobiological exploration.</p>
format Recurso digital
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language eng
publishDate 2025
publisher Zenodo
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spellingShingle Lightning-Fueled Prebiotic Chemistry: Revisiting the Miller-Urey Experiment in the Context of Early Earth's Geology and Alternative Origin of Life Theories
Del Amo Castillo, IÑAKI
Prebiotic chemistry
Miller-Urey experiment
origin of life
small ponds
hydrothermal vents
extraterrestrial organic delivery
astrobiology
early Earth atmosphere
<p>The origin of life on Earth remains one of the most intriguing scientific questions. The Miller-Urey experiment, conducted in 1953, demonstrated the synthesis of organic molecules under simulated early Earth conditions, emphasizing the potential role of lightning in prebiotic chemistry. This paper revisits the experiment by exploring the influence of geological and atmospheric conditions on the formation of life in small, localized ponds, rather than vast oceans. Mathematical calculations based on early Earth atmospheric models, lightning frequency, and energy inputs support the hypothesis that small, concentrated environments were more favorable for complex organic synthesis. The study also compares these findings with alternative theories, such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents and extraterrestrial organic delivery, and discusses future implications for both Earth’s early biosphere and astrobiological exploration.</p>
title Lightning-Fueled Prebiotic Chemistry: Revisiting the Miller-Urey Experiment in the Context of Early Earth's Geology and Alternative Origin of Life Theories
topic Prebiotic chemistry
Miller-Urey experiment
origin of life
small ponds
hydrothermal vents
extraterrestrial organic delivery
astrobiology
early Earth atmosphere
url https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17507493