Deep biosphere has endured mountain-building and erosion over hundreds of millions of years

Researchers have discovered evidence of ancient microbial life deep within the Earth's crust in Sweden. By analyzing calcite minerals, the team linked episodic methane production to major geological events over hundreds of millions of years.
Why it matters
This study expands our understanding of the deep biosphere and how life persists in extreme, isolated environments over geological timescales.
edited by Gaby Clark , reviewed by Robert Egan
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Add as preferred source The calcite crystals contain traces of ancient microbial activity. Credit: Henrik Drake A new study reveals that microbial life deep within Earth has persisted and repeatedly flourished through hundreds of millions of years of mountain-building and erosion. By analyzing minerals, fluids and gases from a 2.3-kilometer-deep (1.4-mile-deep) borehole in central Sweden, researchers have uncovered episodic bursts of methane-producing life linked to major geological events that shaped Scandinavia. The paper is published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment .
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