The DEPTHX autonomous robot as it is being lowered into the Zacatón sinkhole in northeastern Mexico. The robot discovered an amazing wealth and diversity of life in the water-filled cavern. Image Credit: John Spear, Colorado School of Mines

Scientists have found amazingly diverse microbial life in the world's deepest water-filled sinkhole, even down where sunlight can't reach. The discovery adds new insight into life’s ability to thrive in Earth's most extreme environments. This research also could aid the search for life elsewhere in our solar system, such as on Jupiter's moon Europa.