Ancient Viruses Dating Back 15,000 Years Ago Found in Melting Glaciers in Tibet

Ancient viruses dating back as far as 15,000 years ago were found in melting glaciers in Tibet, according to a new study led by the United States.

The so-called frozen creatures re-emerge from the cold storage of melting permafrost, likely brought about by human-induced global warming.

Scientists are aware of the risk little is known about these viruses, which can have catastrophic consequences in the future.

Melting glaciers pose a threat to the environment and ecology of its immediate surroundings.

However, the ice melt itself has alarmed scientists regarding ancient viruses, long thought to be dead, coming back to haunt us.

Still, more research is needed as these pathogens came from a different a period, a time when biological and climatic conditions are unfamiliar in today's world.

In recent years, multiple studies have shown that scientists have also awakened frozen viruses in different parts of the world, including a 30,000-year-old giant virus unearthed beneath the Siberian permafrost.

Previous reports have also indicated that these microorganisms are still potentially dangerous, since our immune systems could be unfamiliar with these viruses from the past.

Tibet Ancient Viruses

(Photo : Photo by NICOLAS GARCIA/AFP via Getty Images)

The new research was published in the journal Microbiome, highlighting that the ancient viruses emerging from the melting Tibetan glaciers, also called the Guliya ice cap in the Tibetan Plateau, consist of dozens of unique 15,000-year-old viruses, as well as microbes and phages.

Authors of the research postulated these microbes came from the atmosphere at the time of their deposit.

The research team also admitted that, out of the 33 viruses they have discovered, 28 viruses had never been seen before.

Amidst the uncertainty, these viruses would survive and thrive in extreme environments, according to Ohio State University microbiologist Matthew Sullivan, as cited by Science Alert.

The team used metagenomics techniques and new methods for maintaining the sterilized ice core samples, which aims to get a better understanding of what lies beyond the cold.

These methods allowed the researchers to determine the microbes potentially represent the atmospheric concentrations they possess when they were buried under freezing ice.

Also Read: Ancient Neanderthal Viruses Found in Modern Human DNA

Giant Virus Returns

In March 2014, scientists claimed an ancient virus has come back to life after being dormant under the Siberian permafrost for at least 30,000 years.

It was found frozen in a deep layer of the thick ice. After being thawed, the virus became infectious again.

Professor Jean-Michel Claverie, from the University of Aix-Marseille in France, stated it was the first time humanity has seen a virus that is still infectious even after considerable length of time, as cited by the BBC.

However, these findings are already conventional as previous research have shown that pathogens and other microorganisms can survive under extreme environments.

With regard to the giant virus, French scientists said the contagion no longer poses any threat to humans or animals.

Nevertheless, other viruses could be released as the frozen ground becomes exposed, the UK media organization reported.