Ancient Microbes Awaken After 40,000 Years in Alaska’s Permafrost

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Buried beneath Alaska’s frozen soil for nearly 40,000 years, ancient microorganisms have come back to life — and their revival could reshape our understanding of climate change. Scientists working in the Permafrost Research Tunnel near Fairbanks, Alaska, discovered that these microbes, once thawed, not only survived but began to multiply and release greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane.

A Dormant World Reawakens

For the first six months after thawing, the microbes showed minimal activity. Then, suddenly, colonies bloomed into visible biofilms, releasing gases that contribute to atmospheric warming. This abrupt shift stunned researchers, suggesting that microbial activity in thawing permafrost may not be immediate but can surge after a delay — a dangerous feedback loop for Earth’s climate.

The Science Behind the Discovery

  • Samples were collected from depths over 20 meters, dating back to the late Pleistocene era (37,900–42,400 years ago).
  • Researchers thawed the samples under controlled temperatures between 4°C and 12°C, simulating modern Arctic summers.
  • Using deuterium-enriched water, scientists tracked microbial growth as ancient cells resumed metabolism.

The findings, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences, confirm that permafrost microbes can reanimate under real-world temperature thresholds.

Climate Implications

Permafrost covers nearly a quarter of the Northern Hemisphere and stores twice the amount of carbon currently in Earth’s atmosphere. Once thawed, this carbon becomes fuel for microbial decomposition, potentially releasing billions of tons of emissions.

The study highlights a critical risk: the lag time between thaw and microbial resurgence. Climate models may underestimate the speed and intensity of permafrost-related emissions, as warming events could trigger cascading releases months later.

A Global Concern

While this research focused on Alaska, vast stretches of permafrost in Siberia, Canada, Greenland, and South America may harbor similar microbial ecosystems. The awakening of these ancient life forms underscores the urgency of monitoring permafrost regions as climate change accelerates.

Source: Samir Sebti, The Daily Galaxy – Great Discoveries Channel. “An Ancient Life Form Frozen for 40,000 Years Woke up in Alaska—Six Months Later, Everything Changed.” Published November 25, 2025. Available at: Daily Galaxy



Location: Alaska, USA

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