The world's most inhospitable place looks like another planet

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One Of The Most Inhospitable Areas On Earth Looks Like An Alien World
One Of The Most Inhospitable Areas On Earth Looks Like An Alien World


Scientists are hoping that an inhospitable area in Ethiopia could provide insights into the development of life on other planets.

The focus of their study is the Danakil Depression, which records springtime temperatures of 107F; it is also home to active volcanoes and has noxious vapours in the air.

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A team of researchers led by Dr. Felipe Gómez Gómez recently conducted 'the first investigation into the site's geology, mineralogy and biology."

For three days in early April, they extracted bacterial samples and took environmental measurements across numerous hot spring sites.

While the analysis is still ongoing, they have thus far identified 'at least three extreme ecosystems.'

The goal is to gain a better understanding of places that can host life but not necessarily people. A follow-up visit to the site is planned for later this year.

According to Bradt Travel Guides, the Danakil Depression is 'effectively a southerly terrestrial extension of the rifting process that formed the Red Sea'.

The area is also said to be one of the most tectonically active on the planet with as many as 30 active and dormant volcanoes.

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