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Geologist Tastes Oldest Water Found on Earth

A geologist discovered and sampled ancient water estimated to be over 1.5 billion years old.

July 19, 2025 at 05:00 PM

The Oldest Water on Earth Was Found - And a Geologist Took a Sip

A geologist recently found and tasted the oldest water ever recorded on Earth.

Oldest Water on Earth Discovered and Tasted by Geologist

In 2016, a remarkable discovery took place deep beneath a Canadian mine, where Professor Barbara Sherwood Lollar and her team uncovered the oldest water known to exist on Earth. Situated about three kilometers underground, the water is estimated to be between 1.5 billion and 2.6 billion years old. To the team's surprise, the water flowed abundantly rather than being trapped in small pockets. Its salinity suggested its ancient origins, as older water tends to become saltier over time. Additionally, traces of microbial life revealed that small organisms had survived in this isolated environment for billions of years. Notably, Sherwood Lollar took the unusual step of tasting the water, describing it as salty and bitter, yet without adverse effects. This discovery enhances our understanding of ancient ecosystems and the possibilities of life in extreme conditions.

Key Takeaways

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The water is estimated to be between 1.5 billion and 2.6 billion years old.

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It was found flowing, rather than in small pockets, as expected.

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Higher salinity confirms the ancient origins of the water.

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Microbial life was detected, showing life can exist in extreme conditions.

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Sherwood Lollar's taste test turned into a memorable moment of exploration.

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The findings could influence future searches for life on other planets.

"When people think about this water, they assume it must be some tiny amount trapped within the rock."

This highlights the unexpected abundance of ancient water.

"We were able to indicate that the signal we are seeing in the fluids has to have been produced by microbiology."

This shows the significance of microbial life in ancient water sources.

"It was very salty and bitter, much saltier than seawater."

Describing the taste emphasizes the uniqueness of the ancient water.

"If you’re a geologist who works with rocks, you’ve probably licked a lot of rocks."

This light-hearted remark underscores the curiosity of scientists in their work.

The discovery of the oldest water challenges our understanding of subsurface ecosystems and the survival of life. It opens new avenues for research into how organisms can thrive in extreme environments, which may also apply to extraterrestrial life. The combination of ancient water sources with microbial life suggests we have much to learn about life's adaptability over geological timescales. Sherwood Lollar's decision to taste the water adds a unique twist to a scientific achievement, showcasing the human curiosity that drives exploration and discovery.