Tag

Alien Ecosystem

All articles tagged with #alien ecosystem

Unearthed: The Hidden Prehistoric "Lost World" on Earth

Originally Published 2 years ago — by indy100

Scientists have discovered an "alien" ecosystem in the Atacama desert in Argentina, unlike anything seen before. The ecosystem consists of a network of crystal-clear lagoons surrounded by salt plains, and is home to stromatolites, complex microbial communities that form massive rock mounds. These stromatolites resemble those that existed during the early Archaean period, suggesting they could be one of the best modern examples of the earliest signs of life on Earth. The discovery could also provide insights into how life may have arisen on Mars. However, the ecosystem is at risk due to plans for lithium mining in the area.

science science alien-ecosystem atacama-desert mars microbial-communities science stromatolites

"Unveiling the Enchanting Oasis: Crystal-clear Lagoons Found in Desert's Hidden Realm"

Originally Published 2 years ago — by indy100

Scientists have discovered a unique ecosystem of crystal-clear lagoons in the Atacama desert, Argentina's Puna de Atacama. Despite being one of the driest environments on Earth, the lagoons are home to complex microbial communities called stromatolites, resembling those from Earth's early Archaean period. The discovery could provide insights into the earliest signs of life on Earth and offer clues about the potential for life on Mars. However, the area is at risk of being destroyed due to planned lithium mining, prompting scientists to urgently document and protect the ecosystem.

science science-and-environment alien-ecosystem atacama-desert biodiversity crystal-clear-lagoons science-and-environment stromatolites