Scientists journey towards centre of the Earth to seek out origins of life

Times Online ^ | 1/16/06 | Leo Lewis

[CarolinaGuitarman]

"THE world’s most technologically advanced exploration ship sails today on a mission that may reveal the origin of life on Earth.

The Japanese ship Chikyu intends to drill seven kilometres (4.3 miles) below the sea bed — more than three times deeper than has been done before. It will then raise to the surface a cylinder 1.5m (5ft) long and 15cm wide which could contain science’s first glimpse of a “living” sample of the Earth’s mantle."

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"The theory behind the life sciences side of the research is that life may have originated beneath the Earth’s crust at temperatures and pressures unknown on land or sea. The energy that provoked the first semblance of life may also have been geothermal rather than solar."

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"The mission of discovery is not restricted to biology. Physical samples of the mantle are also expected to deliver a rich trove of seismological, volcanic, geological, environmental and climatological information. The reason the Japanese project offers the prospect of such important scientific discoveries is not depth alone."

[CarolinaGuitarman]

Pretty cool stuff. It's still a very unexplored area in science. It may take some time before anything definitive comes from this, but they are going three times deeper than has been done before. And when you go into unexplored territory like that, be it on the moon, or an unkown continent during the age of geographical exploration, you are bound to turn up something unexpected and exciting.

[js1138]

Artemis Fowl would be proud.

[jrg]

NOOOOO! Oh Gawd Noooo! They'll start the crack in the world!

[dighton]

Artemis Fowl would be proud.

What to speak of Gertrude the Duck.

[RadioAstronomer]

LOL! I have been looking for that movie for a long time.

[mtbopfuyn]

A bit behind the times. Heck, Pat Boone took the trip back in 1959 and sent back vacation pics.

[CarolinaGuitarman]

"NOOOOO! Oh Gawd Noooo! They'll start the crack in the world!"

Too late!

[Westlander]

After the drilling, the hole will probably become a deep well injection site for toxic chemicals. It's happened before.

[CyberAnt]

Hmmmmm??

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth"

I don't need to go to the center of the earth to find out the truth about the origins of the earth!

[CarolinaGuitarman]

"A bit behind the times. Heck, Pat Boone took the trip back in 1959 and sent back vacation pics."

This isn't quite as high tech as that, but it's still interesting. :)

Pat Boone had his own hair then too.

[CarolinaGuitarman]

"I don't need to go to the center of the earth to find out the truth about the origins of the earth!"

Well that settles it then! Time to call off the research, because you already how it happened. :)

[CarolinaGuitarman]

Not sure how much general interest there would be with this, but it would be a good one to archive. And not just because it's my thread. :)

[wolfcreek]

Don't you want to know where God buys his construction material? Heaven Depot?

[CarolinaGuitarman]

"Artemis Fowl would be proud."

I have to be honest and say that I have never heard of Artemis Fowl. Apparently, 6.1 million copies have been sold of this series right under my nose. lol

[Stirner]

If Professor Gold's theory, that hydrocarbons are not of biologic origin but arise from deep within the earth is true, then the Japanese should hit oil or gas.

[PatrickHenry]

Not sure how much general interest there would be with this, but it would be a good one to archive.

It's a slow day. I'll crank up the ping machine.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

I really hope they don't uncover

Although, it would be refreshing to see John Agar and Hugh Beaumont fighting monsters again.

[PatrickHenry]

Evolution Ping The List-O-Links

A conservative, pro-evolution science list, now with over 340 names. See the list's explanation, then FReepmail to be added or dropped. To assist beginners: But it's "just a theory", Evo-Troll's Toolkit, and How to argue against a scientific theory.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!