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News Release 12-216
"Dark Energy": Life Beneath the Seafloor Discussed at Upcoming American Geophysical Union Conference
Scientists present recent findings on the subsurface biosphere
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Scientists have found that rocks beneath the seafloor are teeming with microbial life.
Credit: Nicolle Rager-Fuller/National Science Foundation
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"Dark energy" is found in ocean depths: life abounds above and below the seafloor.
Credit: WHOI
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Rocks made of basalt on and under the ocean bottom harbor abundant deep-sea bacteria.
Credit: NOAA/WHOI
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The drillship JOIDES Resolution, used to take samples of life far beneath the sea-floor.
Credit: IODP/USIO, Jennifer Magnusson
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A recovery tool for sea-floor equipment rises through the ship's moonpool.
Credit: IODP/USIO
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JOIDES Resolution crew members prep an instrument that will remain under the sea-floor.
Credit: IODP/USIO
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