In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have found that earthquakes might do more than just shake the Earth’s crust — they could also power life miles beneath it.
According to a new study published in Nature Communications, seismic activity may generate electrical energy in deep rock fractures, effectively turning fault lines into natural batteries. When rocks grind against each other during an earthquake, they can split water molecules trapped in underground cracks. This chemical reaction produces hydrogen — a potential energy source for microbial life hidden deep beneath the surface.
Researchers believe this phenomenon could explain how life thrives in extreme environments far from sunlight. These deep biospheres, isolated from the surface world, rely on chemical energy instead of photosynthesis. The findings also have implications for the search for extraterrestrial life, suggesting that similar processes could support life on planets with tectonic activity, such as Mars or Europa.
Lead author Dr. Sean Jordan of the University of Leeds stated, “This could be a game-changer in how we think about life on Earth — and beyond. It reveals a hidden energy system beneath our feet.”
This discovery bridges geology, chemistry, and biology, offering new insight into how Earth’s dynamic interior sustains life in the most unexpected places.
