Earth's deepest ecosystem discovered six miles below the sea

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Jul 30, 2025

Lizzie Gibney, a reporter for Nature, shares her insights on groundbreaking discoveries from deep-sea research. Scientists have unveiled complex ecosystems thriving over 9,000 meters beneath the Pacific Ocean, where life ingeniously utilizes methane for energy. Gibney also highlights a shocking link between respiratory infections and the potential awakening of dormant cancer cells, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, she discusses ancient encounters between terror birds and caimans that inform our understanding of evolution and predator-prey dynamics.

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ANECDOTE

Firsthand Dive Inspires Scientists

Mengren Du described seeing deep-sea creatures firsthand through a submersible window as an inspiring experience.
Direct observation sparks more scientific questions than watching video alone.

INSIGHT

Methane Powers Deep Ocean Life

Deep-sea organisms at 9,000 meters rely on methane seeping from the ocean floor in liquid form due to high pressure.
These communities could be more widespread than previously thought due to abundant methane.

INSIGHT

Anti-Oxidation in Deep-Sea Life

Hadal organisms adapt to intense pressure by producing chemicals to remove harmful free oxygen ions.
This anti-oxidation process could provide insights into combating aging and mutations in humans.

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00:45 The deepest ecosystem ever discovered

Researchers have dived down to more than 9,000 metres below the surface of the Pacific and discovered surprisingly complex communities of life living in deep ocean trenches. The new research shows an array of animal life that appears to be using methane as a source of energy. The researchers are planning more dives to learn more about this mysterious ecosystem and how these animals can thrive despite the extreme pressure they face.

Research Article: Peng et al

09:36 Research Highlights

A fossilized leg bone reveals an 11-million-year-old fight between a terror bird and a caiman, plus the anti-ageing secret of ‘immortal’ stars.

Research Highlight: Rumble in the Miocene: terror bird versus caiman

Research Highlight: ‘Immortal’ stars have an elixir of youth: dark matter

11:45 How infections could awaken dormant cancer

New research reveals that infection by a respiratory virus has the potential to awaken dormant cancer cells. In mice studies, a team showed that inflammation caused by infection with influenza or SARS-CoV-2 could initiate the awakening of breast cancer cells that had metastasized to the lungs. Observational studies using human health data also showed that a COVID-19 infection was associated with increased risk of lung metastasis and cancer death. While the precise mechanisms are unknown, the team say that understanding the process could help mitigate any risks of cancer progression caused by a viral infection.

Research Article: Chia et al.

News and Views: Inflammation during viral infection can rouse dormant cancer cells

21:45 Will physicists ever agree on quantum mechanics?

A survey of more than 1,100 physicists has revealed that there are widely different interpretations of what quantum mechanics means for our understanding or reality. Reporter Lizzie Gibney takes us through the different ideas physicists have and asks if such disagreements even matter.

Nature: Physicists disagree wildly on what quantum mechanics says about reality, Nature survey shows

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