Deep within Antarctica, an unusual natural phenomenon has long puzzled scientists and visitors alike. Known as Blood Falls, a stream of deep red liquid flows from the icy face of the Taylor Glacier, creating a striking contrast against the surrounding white landscape. Why is it red? The colour is not due to algae or blood, but chemistry. The liquid originates from … [Read more...] about The Mystery of Antarctica’s “Blood Falls”
Extreme Environments
The Misnamed Crabeater Seal: Specialist Predator of Antarctic Krill
Despite its name, the crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophaga) is not a crab-eating seal at all. In fact, these creatures are specialist predators of Antarctic krill, tiny crustaceans that form a crucial part of the Southern Ocean food web. Crabeater seals are one of the most abundant seal species on the planet, with an estimated population of around 15 million individuals. … [Read more...] about The Misnamed Crabeater Seal: Specialist Predator of Antarctic Krill
2 Billion-Year-Old Water: World’s Oldest Pool of Water Discovered in Canadian Mine
In 2016, researchers made an incredible discovery deep down within a Canadian mine. They found the world's oldest pool of water at a depth of approximately 3 kilometers or 1.8 miles. The water dates back to a stunning 2 billion years old, breaking the record for the oldest known water by at least 500 million years. The previous record was held by water found in the same mine by … [Read more...] about 2 Billion-Year-Old Water: World’s Oldest Pool of Water Discovered in Canadian Mine