Are you assuming that for life to exist on another planet, both that life and planet must be very close to our own? Carbon-based with liquid water, with life using oxygen and water as its most basic life support?
Water is one of the few substances in the world that is less dense as a solid than as a liquid. This allows it to form a cap over itself during cold periods keeping the remaining water in a liquid form.
We know that our own planet has undergone massive changes over its history. Having some important parts protected during these climactic changes to protect whatever life has developed there is probably an important reason why life started and thrived here or anywhere.
...also the carbon bond is very special and allows for all manner of molecules. Silicon is in the same column of the periodic chart so there is speculation there might be silicon based beings, but I don’t expect there will be uranium based beings on anyone’s radar.