Have you ever wondered how life on Earth got its start? Specifically, how did living organisms manage to harness nitrogen, a vital element for amino acids, RNA, DNA, and chlorophyll, when most of it is locked up in the atmosphere as inert gas? This intriguing question has puzzled scientists for years, but a new discovery suggests a surprising answer: volcanoes.
Volcanoes, with their fiery eruptions and devastating power, are the last entities one would associate with the delicate art of fossil preservation. Yet, against all odds, these geological titans have managed to safeguard some of the most incredible fossils known to science. How? Let's delve into the surprising ways in which volcanic activity has acted as a preserver of ancient life.