News Release 08-094 - Video
This animation shows how fatty acids may have been formed and brought to the surface by a geyser.
This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current contact information at media contacts.
Fatty acids may have formed near hydrothermal vents. This animation shows a theoretical scenario in which fatty acids are formed on the surface of minerals deep underground and then brought to the surface by the eruption of a geyser.
Credit: Janet Iwasa, Szostak Laboratory, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital