[USGS] When you think of earthquakes, “life-sustaining” might not be the phrase that immediately jumps to mind. If you haven’t experienced the destruction of an earthquake yourself, you’ve certainly seen […]
Yellowstone National Park
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology
Fire And Ice: Were Yellowstone’s Past Volcanic Eruptions And Glaciations Related?
[USGS/Yellowstone Volcano Observatory] Yellowstone is a land of fire and ice. Not only does it have a history of different styles of volcanic eruptions, but it has also been covered […]
![Effects of filtration method and sequencing platform on microbial abundance and community composition. Comparison of microbial abundance, sequencing performance, and taxonomic composition among Yellowstone hot spring samples processed using Sterivex, Supor, and polycarbonate (PC) filtration devices and analyzed by Illumina and Oxford Nanopore sequencing. Upper panels show absolute microbial abundance estimates (black bars) and sequence read lengths (red symbols). Lower panels depict species-level relative abundances of dominant bacterial and archaeal (red asterisk) taxa recovered from each sample. -- [biorxiv.org]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Differential-efficiency.png?resize=1200%2C708&ssl=1)
Posted inSample Return
Differential Efficiency Of Sampling Devices In The Measurement Of Microbial Diversity Of Yellowstone National Park Hot Springs
[biorxiv.org] Metagenomic characterization of low-biomass Yellowstone National Park (YNP) hot spring waters remains challenging because microbial recovery is influenced by filtration methodology, sample preservation, DNA extraction, and sequencing strategy.
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Press Release
Earth’s Largest Acidic Geyser Is Currently Very Active
Norris Geyser Basin is known for being the hottest and most dynamic of Yellowstone National Park’s thermal areas—and that’s saying something! It is home to Steamboat Geyser, the tallest active […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Astropharmacy / Biotechnology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Commercial & Private Sector, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, NASA Astrobiology Program, Origin & Evolution of Life, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Sample Return, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Astrobiologists Search For Alien Life And Help Life On Earth In The Process
On Earth, life thrives in some of the most seemingly inhospitable environments.
Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release, Sample Return, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Studying Thermophiles In Yellowstone National Park
Ask any Yellowstone park ranger about hazards in the park, and you will soon learn that hydrothermal features (not bears) have caused more harm than any other natural threat. Park […]
Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release, Sample Return
New Groups Of Methane-producing Organisms Identified In Yellowstone National Park
A team of scientists from Montana State University has provided the first experimental evidence that two new groups of microbes thriving in thermal features in Yellowstone National Park produce methane […]
Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Microbiology & Virology, Status Report
Geographic and Ecological Diversity of Green Sulfur Bacteria in Hot Spring Mat Communities
Three strains of thermophilic green sulfur bacteria (GSB) are known; all are from microbial mats in hot springs in Rotorua, New Zealand (NZ) and belong to the species Chlorobaculum tepidum.
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Status Report
Hot Springs Viruses At Yellowstone National Park Have Ancient Origins And Are Adapted To Their Thermophilic Hosts
Geothermal springs in areas such as Yellowstone National Park (YNP), USA house unicellular red algae that dominate the microbial biomass. Little is known about the viruses that infect the biota.
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release
Extreme Habitats: Microbial Life In Old Faithful Geyser
An eruption of Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park is a sight to behold. Indeed, millions of tourists flock to the park each year to see it. Hot water […]