Showing posts with label Antarctica. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Antarctica. Show all posts
March 10, 2010
Apparently Snow Bleeds
Normally things in Antarctica... aren't red.
Yegads! That is a part of Taylor Glacier, specifically the Blood Falls, located in the dry valleys of Antarctica. Apparently, a lake was covered by the glacier about 2 million years ago, trapping the microbial life inside. They have evolved independently of outside life for all that time, and were discovered due to a few leaks from under the glacier.
The water coming out is red due to iron, and is incredibly salty with almost no oxygen in it. The microbes — 17 different kinds have been found there — must use sulfur as a catalyst instead of oxygen, which has never been seen before.
If any facehuggers pop out of that thing... I'm out!
Labels:
Antarctica,
Epic Photo of Greatness
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
