Early life on Earth likely began in shallow ponds or hot springs where sunlight could spark crucial chemical reactions.

Many people think life started in the deep, dark ocean. But scientific research suggests a different story. To build the basic building blocks of life, you need ultraviolet light from the Sun. This means life probably started on land in warm, shallow pools or volcanic hot springs. Here, sunlight and water mixed with chemical ingredients to create the very first self-replicating molecules.