Beneath the extremely dry surface of Chile’s Atacama Desert, scientists discovered a functional community of microorganisms that challenges what we thought possible for life. While the ground above remains one of Earth's harshest environments, a ‘hidden oasis’ lies about two meters down, protected from high solar irradiance and complete dryness. This underground community mainly consists of unique bacteria that obtain moisture crucial for survival from minerals.
Researchers used cutting-edge DNA sequencing and geochemical techniques to make this finding. Their work shows life can thrive without any connection to the surface. This revelation not only changes our view on where life can exist on Earth but also offers valuable insights for searching for similar forms of life on Mars or other barren planets.
