Category: Evolution

The Earth is the only planet we know of that can support life in the cold, vast space. It seems we’re extremely lucky because our planet has a lot of unique characteristics that make life possible on it. But, interestingly, it also seems “where life can evolve, it will”. From the scorching heat of volcanic springs to the intense pressure of ocean depths, life adapts and thrives in settings once deemed uninhabitable. Explore the ten most extreme environments where nature defies limits, revealing the adaptability and tenacity of life in our planet’s harshest conditions. This journey unveils the incredible extremophiles, organisms that redefine our understanding of survival and resilience in Earth’s most challenging locales.

Evolution works through a process akin to a color spectrum gradually shifting from red to blue, where minute changes accumulate over time to result in significant transformations. This concept offers a vivid understanding of micro-evolution, characterized by small and subtle adjustments that are almost imperceptible on their own. Over extended periods, these incremental changes lead to macro-evolution, the broader and more noticeable shifts in species and traits. This analogy not only clarifies the evolutionary process but also helps dispel common misconceptions, illustrating the seamless and natural progression from one evolutionary state to another.

It’s like the Google Earth of Evolution: OneZoom Tree of Life Explorer enables you to navigate all the leaves and branches of life on Earth, and how all the species are related. By using the tool, you can go back (or forward) in time via common ancestors.