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SUMMARY:Salty waters: Life’s origins and biological habitability on Eart
 h (and Mars?) - Benjamin Tutolo\, University of Calgary
DTSTART:20231010T110000Z
DTEND:20231010T120000Z
UID:TALK206587@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Dr Rachael Rhodes
DESCRIPTION:How did life begin? It is a question so fundamental that it ha
 s been pondered since the dawn of human civilization. As scientists have s
 ought answers to this question and its logical derivative – Are we alone
  in the universe? – a common strategy\, “follow the water\,” has eme
 rged. In this presentation\, I will discuss recent efforts to understand t
 he vital role of solute-laden\, “salty” waters in fostering habitabili
 ty on ancient Earth and Mars. I will focus on the ways that water-driven g
 eochemical reactions generate habitable conditions\, and their potential f
 or originating Earth’s first organisms. My discussion will be informed b
 y intensive study of modern and ancient hydrothermal systems\, geochemical
  and geophysical surveys of unique\, saline lakes in British Columbia (Can
 ada)\, and the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover’s ongoing explora
 tion of Gale Crater\, Mars. 
LOCATION:Department of Earth Sciences\, Tilley Lecture Theatre
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