Russian Scientists Bore Into Ancient Antarctic Lake

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

MOSCOW — Russian scientists said on Wednesday that they had pierced through more than three kilometers of Antarctic ice and reached the waters of a subglacial lake that has been sealed off for millions of years.

Clean samples of the water from Lake Vostok, named after the scientific research station located on the ice sheet above it, will not be taken until the next Antarctic summer, in December 2012, officials said, as the initial water released from the lake was contaminated by drilling fluid.

Scientists believe the lake could contain a wide variety of evolutionary secrets, including evidence of previously unknown, prehistoric life forms.

Too bad we will have to wait for 11 months.:frowning:

What animals do you think we will find?

NYtimes story.

2

How long before Evian has a new competitor?

3

It is going to be the piss of giant crocs.:stuck_out_tongue:

4

We’re doomed. They are just going to release The Thing. Or awaken one of the Elder Gods.

5

Or the Blob.

6

Very, tiny whales.

7

I predicted a Lovecraft reference within the first three comments. Ah, SDMB, you never disappoint.

8

Aw, c’mon, how could you not? The first news story I read about these guys reported that they were missing, after drilling more than 10,000 feet through Antarctic ice to uncover a 15-million-year-old lake. If that’s not the plot of a Call of Cthulhu one-shot, I don’t know what is.

9

Initially reading this, I assumed the lake was frozen. It’s liquid!

10

Makes you wonder if there could not be something like the black smokerecology down there.

11

I also would’ve accepted a Balrog joke.

12

Release the Kraken!

13

There are some concerns that by doing this the Russians have irreveriably contaminated the lake forever, distroying a unique environment.

14

Arbitrary “In Soviet Union, lake drills you!” joke.
But I digress.
Carry on.