Life Found in Rocks Beneath the Ocean Floor Give Scientists Hope of Finding Life on Mars

Bacteria live densely packed into tunnels of clay minerals found in this sample of solid rock. Courtesy of Suzuki et al.

When scientists find microbial life thriving in some of the most extreme environments on Earth, it gives them hope that they may be able to find life on other planets.

Now, researchers have discovered billions of bacteria living in tiny cracks in volcanic rocks beneath the ocean floor, more than nine miles below the surface of the ocean and an additional 300 feet below the ocean floor, according to a new study published Thursday.