Ancient microbes frozen for 40,000 years revive, reorganize, and begin to devour carbon

By Raquel Brandao – earth.com

Microbes entombed in deep permafrost, ground that stays frozen for at least 2 years, can switch back on after thawing when warmed. Experiments with Alaskan cores show they start releasing carbon dioxide within months of thaw, even from layers once thought safely inert.

Some of these organisms have slept for roughly 40,000 years. The work centers on samples taken in a research tunnel near Fairbanks, Alaska, where frozen ground records ancient climates and ecosystems.