Geologist James Powell traces the deep-sea biosphere’s evolution and the discovery of life in seemingly inhospitable conditions. The groundbreaking exploration by HMS Challenger in 1872 debunked the theory that life cannot exist beyond certain depths. The development of deep-sea submersibles, like the Alvin, led to the discovery of hydrothermal vents and the unique chemosynthesis process sustaining life in the dark depths. Thomas Gold’s theory proposed abundant microbial life beneath Earth’s surface, leading to further expeditions drilling into the seafloor and discovering ancient, resilient microbes. The implications of subsurface life extend to Mars, where microbial life may have evolved similarly. The potential for finding life below the surface on other planets poses intriguing questions about the nature of life beyond Earth.
https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/how-deep-does-life-go/