News Life

Antarctic lake hides bizarre ecosystem

Bacterial colonies form cones like those on early Earth

By Alexandra Witze

- More than 2 years ago

In the eerie bluish-purple depths of an Antarctic lake, scientists have discovered otherworldly mounds that tell tales of the planet’s early days.

DEEP PURPLE Eerie blue light suffuses the otherworldly bottom of Lake Untersee, Antarctica, where scientists have found structures (purple lumps) built by layer upon layer of growing microbes.