In a groundbreaking study conducted in Alaska, scientists have successfully revived microbes that had been trapped in Arctic permafrost for nearly 40,000 years.
These microorganisms are beginning to show signs of life, providing valuable insights into resilience and the potential impact of climate change on our planet.
Published in JGR Biogeosciences, the research highlights how these dormant organisms respond to warmer temperatures penetrating the once-permanently frozen ground.
The investigation took place inside a remote tunnel managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, where researchers descended over 350 feet underground.
While mammoth bones jutting from the tunnel walls point to a prehistoric era, the real focus of their work lies at the microscopic level.
Geological scientist Tristan Caro notes that the first thing one notices upon entering the tunnel is the smell—“it smells like a musty basement that’s been left to sit for way too long.
image source from：dailygalaxy
