coolthingoftheday:

Mt. Erebus in Antarctica, the southernmost active volcano in the world, is known for the numerous ice fumaroles – also known as ice chimneys – that dot the surrounding landscape. The ice towers are created when snow and ice begin to form around gas escaping from the pressurized caves beneath the ground. These caves are of special interest to astrobiologists, as they are untouched by humans and contain only extremophile bacteria and fungi. It is believed that such caves may exist on Mars, suggesting that it may be possible for life to exist there.

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