Ancient Microbes, Alien Life?
Chihuahuan Desert, Mexico

A strange set of lakes in the middle of a Mexican desert may hold clues about life on other planets.

Around 170 pools flank the town of Cuatro Ciénegas. Underground springs fill the pools with hot, mineral-laden water.

Few organisms can survive the harsh lakes, but stromatolites are one of them. These clumps of microbes and minerals are among the oldest life-forms. They flourished in Earth’s extreme environment 3.5 billion years ago, and still exist today in places too inhospitable for most life. Fewer predators in these habitats affords the stromatolites a better chance of survival. 

Scientists are studying the extreme conditions and primitive life in the Chihuahuan pools to understand what conditions may support life on other planets.

Image Credits
Mexico – NASA Terra satellite – MODIS
Chihuahuan Desert  – Landsat
Cuatro Ciénegas pool – Tommy LaVergne, Rice University
Stromatolite ­– Forest Rohwer, San Diego State University
Cyanobacteria – Luisa Falcon, Nacional Autónoma de México