Scientists have managed to revive ancient microbes found in Mexico.
The long-dormant microbes were from inside the famous giant crystals of the Naica mountain caves in Mexico.
Microbe is a term for tiny creatures that individually are too small to be seen with the unaided eye.
The organisms were likely to have been encased at least 10,000 years ago, and possibly up to 50,000 years ago.
It is another demonstration of the ability of life to adapt and cope in the most hostile of environments.
What are the Naica Mountain Caves?
First opened by miners looking for silver and other metals a hundred years ago, the deeply buried Naica caves are a key interest to scientists fascinated by microbes.
The environment is hot (40-60C), humid and acidic. With no light at depth, any lifeform must chemosynthesise to survive. That is, it must derive the energy needed to sustain itself by processing rock minerals.
2 Responses
This is crazy crystal caves I could be rich if I found it.
that’s awesome