Thirty years ago, scientists assumed the interior of Earth was lifeless. Now, some scientists think there might be more biomass within Earth than on its surface. The discovery of extremophiles-- life forms that thrive in extreme physical environments-- has changed the way we look at life.
Biologists are now trying to determine the minimum requirements in energy and nutrients for life to sustain itself deep underground on Earth. That minimum, they believe, could then be related to possible life on other worlds, like Mars or Europa. NASA landed the Curiosity rover in Gale crater because the crater floor is well below the surrounding plain, thus giving Curiosity some access to the Mars underground. Because the Martian surface is constantly scoured by deadly radiation, scientists think the most likely home for Martian life would be the interior of the planet. That brings us back to extremophiles on Earth.
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