'...a land that time forgot...'
— was the location of a "ring-shaped 'hill,'" hidden in plain sight and revealed by that off-world imagery. Field studies then showed that microbial remains found onsite were akin to that of microbial structures found not on land, but under the sea — a revelation corroborating that the Nullarbor Plain was once blanketed by a tropical ocean roughly 14 million years ago.
"The ring-shaped 'hill' cannot be explained by extra-terrestrial impact or any known deformation processes," co-author and geologist Milo Barham said in the press release, "but preserves original microbial textures and features typically found in the modern Great Barrier Reef."The Nullarbor Plain, according to the researchers, is a particularly fruitful place of geological study, as it's been relatively untouched by erosion.
"Unlike many parts of the world, large areas of the Nullarbor Plain have remained largely unchanged by weathering and erosion processes over millions of years," Barham added, "making it a unique geological canvas recording ancient history in remarkable ways." "These features, in conjunction with the millions of years old landscape feature we have now identified," he continued, "effectively make the Nullarbor Plain a land that time forgot and allow a fascinating deeper understanding of Earth's history."
If the Nullarbor Plain could speak, it'd probably say something along the lines of the classic: don't judge a book by its cover. It seems that this Aussie desert was once host to a vast underwater ecosystem — a potent reminder of exactly how much our Earth has changed through its many millennia.
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Astronomers just discovered a planet that might be able to support lifeScientists believe they may have discovered an inhabitable exoplanet just 100 light-years away from Earth.
Leer más »
Massive 'bullseye' in Australian desert is evidence of an ancient reefMarine microbes likely made the reef.
Leer más »
Does Jeff Bezos Know His Space Capsule Is Named After a Socialist?When looking closely at a Blue Origin capsule, a former NASA scientist discovered that the craft in question was named after a bona fide socialist.
Leer más »
Scientists Discover a Molecular Switch That Controls Life ExpectancyA single protein can control aging signals more effectively than in a group. According to recent research, the protein CHIP can control the insulin receptor more effectively while acting alone than when in a paired state. In cellular stress situations, CHIP often appears as a homodimer - an associa
Leer más »
Scientists Discover That a Virtual Museum Trip Can Improve Your Physical, Mental, and Social HealthA randomized controlled study demonstrates substantial gains in social isolation, well-being, quality of life, and frailty evaluations. Scientists have known for a long time that social isolation is linked to a variety of health issues, such as an increased risk for heart disease and stroke, as wel
Leer más »