Scientists at the University of Arizona have proposed an ark called a “modern global insurance policy” for 6.7 million species of the Earth, cryogenically preserved and hidden in a series of caves and tunnels beneath the moon’s surface.
They said the vault could protect the genetic materials in the event of “total destruction of the Earth” caused by a major decline in biodiversity – but any attempt to build such a bunker is still a long way off.
“Earth is a volatile environment by nature,” said researcher Jekan Thanga, a professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering at the University of Arizona College of Engineering, in a statement.
“As humans, we had a close call about 75,000 years ago with the Toba super-volcanic eruption, which caused a cooling period of 1,000 years and, according to some, corresponds to an estimated decline in human diversity. Because human civilization has such a large footprint.” if it collapsed, it could have a negative cascade effect on the rest of the planet. “
Similar “doomsday vaults” exist on Earth: The Global Seed Vault, home to just under 1 million seed samples, is located on a remote island in Svalbard, an archipelago between Norway and the North Pole.
In a paper presented earlier this month, the University of Arizona team think their concept could save Earth’s life in the event of the destruction of the planet we call home.
The researchers said the project relies on advancements in cryo-robotics technology – to be cryopreserved, the seeds must be cooled to minus 292 Fahrenheit, while stem cells must be stored at minus 320 Fahrenheit. But the team says that at such temperatures, metal parts of the base can freeze, jam, or cold weld together.
Scientists also still don’t understand how a lack of gravity can affect preserved seeds, or how to communicate with an Earthly base.
In 2013, experts discovered a network of some 200 lava tubes beneath the moon’s surface that had formed when lava flows melted through soft rock and formed underground tunnels billions of years ago.
Scientists think the tubes are 100 meters (328 feet) in diameter – could provide the perfect shelter for the precious cargo by protecting it from solar radiation, surface temperature changes and micrometeorites.
Powered by solar panels, the underground ark would be accessible via elevator shafts, creating a facility where cryogenic preservation modules would be stored.
Scientists say it would take 250 rocket launches to transport about 50 samples of each of the 6.7 million species to the moon.
Some construction on the moon is already planned for another project.