note: The following is a summary of a research paper completed during my undergraduate career. For references, drop me a line.
In 1977, the submersible Alvin discovered a series of hydrothermal vents beneath the Galapagos Islands. Clustered around these vents was an ecosystem unlike any previously encountered anywhere on the planet.
In fact, over thirty-three new genera were created to accomodate the fauna of these vents. This in and of itself does not prove that life began here, only that life is capable of surviving, even thriving, in areas of extreme temperatures and pressures.
But consider this. If impact vaporization of the oceanic photic zone occured 3.8 billion years ago and "scientists" (whoever they are) state that primitive life existed 3.5 billion years ago, then there is only a very small window for the first proto-cells to have been produced and to have gained reproductive capabilities.
Now consider this. the hydrothermal systems provided an ideal place for abiogenisis to occur depite the chaos occuring at the surface of the planet. In addition, the now famous Miller-Urey experiment in which a simulated "primordeal broth" produced proteins after a given time of electromagnetic exposure could be accomplished with ease in such a turbulent, fluid environment.
This is my opinion in a nutshell. For more information, drop me a line.
