Deep Life: The Hunt for the Hidden Biology of Earth, Mars, and Beyond

by Tullis C. Onstott

Overview

The thrilling quest for subsurface life on Earth and other planets

Deep Life takes readers to uncharted regions deep beneath Earth's crust in search of life in extreme environments, and reveals how astonishing new discoveries by geomicrobiologists are aiding the quest to find life in the solar system. Tullis Onstott provides an insider's look at the pioneering fieldwork that is shining new light on Earth's hidden biology, a subterranean biosphere thriving with rare and exotic life forms. Join Onstott and his team on epic descents into South African gold mines, and travel deep beneath the frozen wastelands of the Arctic tundra to discover life as it could exist on Mars. An unforgettable scientific adventure, Deep Life takes you to the biotic fringe, where today's scientists hope to discover the very origins of life itself.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691202822
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	07/14/2020
Pages:	512
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Tullis C. Onstott is professor of geosciences at Princeton University.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD ix

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xiii

ABBREVIATIONS xv

INTRODUCTION 1

1 Triassic Park 12

2 The Treasure of Cerro Negro 56

3 Bikers, Bombs, and the Death-o-Meter 103

4 Microbes in Meteorites! 126

5 Life in Deepest, Darkest Africa 143

6 Hunting for Water and Carbon 172

7 The Subterranauts 198

8 A Lot of Breaks and One Lucky Strike 234

9 Life beneath the Ice 265

10 The Worm from Hell 333

EPILOGUE 357

APPENDIX A: Chronology of the Exploration of Subsurface Life 365

APPENDIX B: Chronology of the Meeting of the U.S. DOE’s

SSP Meetings 377

NOTES 381

REFERENCES 463

INDEX 473

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Tullis Onstott has been at the forefront of the exploration of [Earth's] subterranean mysteries. . . . A microbiologist Indiana Jones, clambering through dimly lit mining tunnels far below the surface, sampling tubes in hand. . . . Along the way, he addresses some of the deepest questions—if you'll excuse the pun—in modern biology."—Lewis Dartnell, Times Higher Education

"[Onstott] so beautifully conveys his excitement . . . a worthwhile read."—Publishers Weekly

"[An] amazing journey."—Cosmos

"The discovery of deep biosphere is a fascinating chapter in the history of astrobiology, and Onstott was at the bottom of it all—literally, when he and his team were searching for life in the deepest mines on Earth. This detailed and well-written book explains the importance of the subsurface biosphere and why those of us interested in the search for life on Mars are so interested in life deep underground."—Chris McKay, NASA Ames Research Center

Editorial Reviews

"Life can thrive in the most inhospitable places. And finding out just how inhospitable has been the life's work of Tullis Onstott. . . . While rooted in the earth, the study may also help in the quest to find life in the solar system and beyond. This amazing journey takes us from deep in a South African gold mine, to the ancient seabed below a desert floor to travel deep beneath the frozen Arctic tundra."

Cosmos Magazine

"Deep Life tackles one of the most mysterious, sexiest questions in science today: Is there life beyond Earth? . . . Onstott's argument is both profound—we can't understand life on other planets without understanding life on our own—and surprising, pleasing any amateur extraterrestrial beep hunter."—-Sarah Sloat, Inverse

"Extreme environments beneath Earth's surface could well be the crucible where life was forged, and studying the weird creatures that live in such locales could well shed light on how life could endure in Mars' deep crust or Europa's hidden ocean. Geoscientist Tullis C. Onstott brings you along on the hunt."—-Alan Boyle, GeekWire

From the Publisher

"Onstott so beautifully conveys his excitement that laypeople and scientists alike will find [Deep Life] a worthwhile read."

Publishers Weekly