Chinese scientists have discovered a novel mechanism by which microbial life thrives deep within the Earth's crust, powered by the energy released during earthquakes. This groundbreaking research, published on August 7, 2025, by researchers from the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, fundamentally alters the understanding of habitability in extreme environments and has significant implications for astrobiology.
The study found that earthquakes, through the fracturing of rocks, generate hydrogen (H₂) and oxidants like hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). These substances create a characteristic redox gradient within fractures, providing essential energy for deep-subsurface microbes. This process is significantly more potent than previously known hydrogen-generating mechanisms, with the potential to produce up to 100,000 times more hydrogen than sources like serpentinization or radioactive decay. Led by Professor He Honglin and Professor Chu Jian, the research highlights the critical role of iron in this energy cycle, facilitating a continuous flow of electrons that sustains microbial metabolism and drives crucial biogeochemical cycles. The findings suggest that similar tectonic activities on other planets or moons could also support alien microbial life, making fault-induced hydrogen and redox cycling a key indicator in the search for extraterrestrial life.