[Scripps/JCVI] Blood Falls has long been one of Antarctica’s strangest landmarks: a red-stained outflow that spills from the face of Taylor Glacier into the cold, dry landscape of the McMurdo […]
blood falls
Posted inArctic / Antarctic / Alpine
Molecular Evidence For A Relict Marine Community In An Antarctic Dry Valleys Subglacial Brine-fed System
[Nature] The McMurdo Dry Valleys contain a mosaic of specialized microbial habitats structured by strong physical and chemical gradients.
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Ice Planet Recon: Glacier Surface Lowering And Subglacial Outflow Coincide With Blood Falls Discharge In The McMurdo Dry Valleys
Blood Falls is a unique feature that appears at the snout of the Taylor Glacier in the upper Taylor Valley, East Antarctica.
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Mars, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Polar / Alpine Expeditions, Press Release, Sample Return
Multi-technique Characterization Of Iron Reduction By An Antarctic Shewanella: An Analog System For Putative Martian Biosignature Identification
Microbes from terrestrial extreme environments enable testing of biosignature production in conditions relevant to astrobiological targets.
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astrobiology (general), Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Europa, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Subglacial Microbial Life On Earth And Beyond
The search for life beyond Earth fascinates many and inspires big questions: Are we truly alone in the Universe? Is our Earth unique? Is it possible that life beyond Earth […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Enceladus, Europa, Icy Worlds, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Field-Based Planetary Protection Operations for Melt Probes: Validation of Clean Access into the Blood Falls, Antarctica, Englacial Ecosystem
Subglacial environments on Earth offer important analogs to Ocean World targets in our solar system. These unique microbial ecosystems remain understudied due to the challenges of access through thick glacial […]
Posted inArctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Cryobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments
Exploring Below Antarctica's Blood Falls
Microbiologist Jill Mikucki first saw a photo of Blood Falls during a class for her master’s degree at Portland State University. It immediately captivated her. Fast-forward about a dozen years. […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Microbiology & Virology
Blood Falls Becomes First Subglacial Antarctic Specially Protected Area to Protect Scientific Values
Blood Falls, one of the more bizarre features found anywhere in Antarctica, has fascinated scientists since it was first discovered a century ago by Griffith Taylor, the senior geologist on […]