The correct answer is microbe poop! Scientists thought that the colorful deposits (like the ones in the picture above) found in lava tubes were minerals, but as it turns out, they're really droppings from microbes living in the tubes.Gross? Maybe, but the deposits can also be beautiful, according to scientists. Some examples are "a lovely blue-green ooze dripping out of the [cave] ceiling in Hawaii; a vein of what looks like a gold, crunchy mineral in New Mexico; and, in the Azores, amazing pink hexagons," said Diana Northup, a geomicrobiologist at the University of New Mexico.
Find out more about the mats of microbe poop and how they might provide clues to life on Mars on National Geographic News.
Speaking of evidence, read about a birdnapper that got busted with poop on his shoes in another News Bite.
Photograph courtesy Guy Caniaux
Geez, what next? Only if there were more poop out there that is beautiful and maybe useful... Microbes worldwide ought to be proud of their waste!
cool and yet gross also VERY STRANGE!!!!
but I like it.
cool=gross=strange=like "so many thoughts!"
NASTY but cool!!!! Do you agree?
oh my it is awsome but strange
I totally agree with you pretty1.... But I actually think it looks like an Aboriginal dot painting...What do you think it looks like?
That is weird lookin'
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
✰Jolly✰
that is so nasty but yet so kool
For your information Jolly, scientists that discovered tha poop might use information and data from it to make our life healthier, purer, and a little more cheerfull, My parents work with peopl who have ideas about how to change the earth, and you better change your attitude because this "poop" could change your future!
its so gross but cool. for some reason it looks like a drawing.
I think it is extremely disgusting but cool too!!! '~'
I think I "ll puke if I look at it again!!!!!
me too pretty1!!!
wow that is realy gross
I thought that this was very interesting. Yet disgusting (as I have read in the previous comments.) I can't believe that scientists thought that colorful deposits were minerals. But it actually turns out that it really was droppings from microbes that live in the tubes. It's so fascinating! I hope to learn more about this disgusting yet interesting "microbe poop."
colorful poop is so amazing yet graceful
Wow, this can't be poop!..
it's by far, too beautiful :)
is that actual poop?
how is that beutiful laurweaver? it looks like the instalation in my house. :)
thats sounds cool but that looks so NASTTTTYY!!:)
Thats sounds cool but looks nasty!(:
I've seen this pic before. When I first saw it I got a real shock, though I shouldn't have because I was researching microbial lights for a project. It was not school realated but that's all I'll say cuz any more might be considered personal info. I never knew microbes pooped, but I guess everything has to excrete somehow. :-D
it looks like a design but its just so discusting!
☺-☻
it just gross! :(