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Environmental Systems Research
Fig. 5 | Environmental Systems Research

Fig. 5

From: Microbial evolution in extreme environments: microbial migration, genomic highways, and geochemical barriers in hydrothermal ecosystems

Fig. 5

Proposed contiguous isotherms compatible with chemotrophic life in the YNP subsurface. These anastomosing channels are established by thermal radiation from superheated water as well as deeper magmatic interactions [due to the latter, water temperature exceeds 150°C at depth in the YNP caldera subsurface (White et al. 1975; Fournier 1989)]. Colors illustrate regions of higher to lower temperature (red→orange→yellow). Whereas surface migration is restricted to ‘jumps’ between adjacent hot springs, subsurface migration can occur along highways established by these isotherms. Adapted from Encyclopedia Britannica (2006).

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