Billions of years ago, a meteorite up to 200 times larger than the one that wiped out the dinosaurs crashed into Earth, unleashing catastrophic changes. A new study led by geologist Nadja Drabon, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, explores the aftermath of this ancient impact, known as the S2 event. Through detailed analysis of rock samples from South Africa’s Barberton Greenstone Belt, the study reveals how the devastation gave rise to unique opportunities for life, fueling the growth of iron-metabolizing bacteria and reshaping the planet's early history.