Lake Fryxell, a Model for the Ancient Earth (IMAGE)

University of California - Davis

Lake Fryxell, a Model for the Ancient Earth

Caption

Lake Fryxell, Antarctica is permanently covered in ice, and the waters at the bottom are oxygen-free but still receive some sunlight. Scientists have discovered a thin layer of oxygen created by photosynthetic bacteria at the bottom of the lake. This could be a model for conditions on Earth 2.4 billion years ago, before oxygen became common in the atmosphere.

Credit

Tyler Mackey, UC Davis

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