Does there exist, deep within the earth's crust, a second biosphere-- composed of very primitive, thermophilic (heat-loving) bacteria, and containing more living matter than the entire surface? This idea, first proposed by the author in the early 1980s, is now supported by a growing body of evidence. The implications are astonishing: is the deep biosphere where life originated? Can Mars and other seemingly dead planets contain deep biospheres? Is there yet another--deeper, hotter--biosphere within the earth, based on silicon instead of carbon? This is the first book to explore this very controversial, intriguing theory.
By:
Thomas Gold Imprint: Springer-Verlag New York Inc. Country of Publication: United States Dimensions:
Height: 240mm,
Width: 163mm,
Spine: 25mm
Weight: 558g ISBN:9780387985466 ISBN 10: 0387985468 Pages: 256 Publication Date:06 November 1998 Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
,
A / AS level
,
Further / Higher Education
Format:Hardback Publisher's Status: Active
"Introduction * Our ""fortunate"" place in the universe * Is our food club the only one on the planet?- The discovery of life at volcanic vents in the ocean floors * Subterranean life observed: the limitaztions of space, food and temperature * The derivation of petroleum * Biology and geochemistry * Where did life originate?- How widespread is life in the universe?- Another type of life even deeper?- Conclusion."