Thread: Strange life forms found deep in a mine point to vast 'underground Galapagos'

The rock-eating, sulfur-breathing microbes have scientists wondering what other strange creatures dwell deep below Earth's surface.


Something odd is stirring in the depths of Canada's Kidd Mine. The zinc and copper mine, 350 miles northwest of Toronto, is the deepest spot ever explored on land and the reservoir of the oldest known water. And yet 7,900 feet below the surface, in perpetual darkness and in waters that have remained undisturbed for up to two billion years, the mine is teeming with life.


Many scientists had doubted that anything could live under such extreme conditions. But in July, a team led by University of Toronto geologist Barbara Sherwood Lollar reported that the mine’s dark, deep water harbors a population of remarkable microbes.



The single-celled organisms don’t need oxygen because they breathe sulfur compounds. Nor do they need sunlight. Instead, they live off chemicals in the surrounding rock — in particular, the glittery mineral pyrite, commonly known as fool’s gold.


“It's a fascinating system where the organisms are literally eating fool's gold to survive,” Sherwood Lollar said. “What we are finding is so exciting — like ‘being a kid again’ level exciting.”

MORE https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science...os-ncna1050906

That is a very interesting and thought provoking report. Thanks kit, googling for more info now.

Do they exist with the aliens?

US Delta forces fought with ALIENS in underground battle in New Mexico - witness

https://www.express.co.uk/news/weird...ico-alien-news

Perhaps they haven't been keeping up with the research of other scientists.

https://sciencenordic.com/biology-bi...seabed/1383847

Originally Posted by misskit

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Something odd is stirring in the depths of Canada's Kidd Mine. The zinc and copper mine, 350 miles northwest of Toronto, is the deepest spot ever explored on land and the reservoir of the oldest known water. And yet 7,900 feet below the surface, in perpetual darkness and in waters that have remained undisturbed for up to two billion years, the mine is teeming with life.

I'm calling bullshit on parts of this story as who mined the place 2 billion years ago if the waters have been undisturbed for that long.

I don't doubt they found the new organisms as I have heard of this idea as a new way of processing sulphide ores.

They should go to the Freeport mines in Papua the rats that live down there in the dark are scary.

There's an awful lot unknown about conditions undewater, which probably comprises around 70% of the planet. Especially in deep water.

Only 25 years ago we were disvovering deep, cold water corals off the Norwegian coast and they were practically unkown before. There's a lot more deep water discoveries to be made.

This is particularly interesting because it indicates life could possibly exist in hostile environments on other planets.

Indeed so, such as some moons of Jupiter or Saturn. But this is old news, extremophiles have been known for at least 25 years. (Or more, I am just guessing here)

if you are ever on the atherton tablelands , Undara lava tubes is worth a look

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undara..._National_Park