News Microbes

Microbes survived inside giant cave crystals for up to 50,000 years

Extremophiles hint at possible resilience of life beyond Earth

Naica mine in Chihuahua, Mexico

IN DEEP  Samples from fluid pockets in crystals inside Mexico's Naica mine in Chihuahua revealed life-forms that may have been trapped in the minerals for up to 50,000 years.

Alexander Van Driessche/wikimedia commons (CC BY 3.0)

By Ashley Yeager

- More than 2 years ago

BOSTON — Microbes found stowed inside giant crystals in caves in Chihuahua, Mexico, may have survived there for tens of thousands of years.