Slashdot Mirror


Signs of Subsurface 'Alien' Life Found In Antarctica

astroengine writes: An airborne survey of a presumably dry Antarctic valley revealed a stunning and unexpected interconnected subsurface briny aquifer deep beneath the frozen tundra, a finding that not only has implications for understanding extreme habitats for life on Earth, but the potential for life elsewhere in the solar system, particularly Mars. The briny liquid — about twice as salty as seawater — was discovered about 200 miles underground in a region known as Taylor Valley. The aquifer is widespread, extending from the Ross Sea's McMurdo Sound more than 11 miles into the eastern part of valley. A second system was found connecting Taylor Glacier with the ice-cover Lake Bonney. But the survey, which covered 114 square miles, may have just uncovered the proverbial tip of the iceberg.

1 of 106 comments (clear)

  1. 'Alien' life? by tomhath · · Score: 3, Interesting

    They didn't find any life, just some really salty water. And I really doubt that any life they find there would be especially alien. Quite a leap to go from there to Mars.