Science
2009-07-01 11:56:00
Does Jurassic Park really exist in Kansas?
Answer: Salt-loving bacteria that was discovered in 1999 by Doctors Russell Vreeland, William Rosenzweig and Dennis Powers, and extracted from a crystal of salt found in New Mexico. A paper documenting this discovery was published in the science journal, Nature in 2000 and to date, this bacteria, dubbed “Harry” by the scientists, is the oldest living organism ever found on earth. KUSM was very fortunate to obtain all of the laboratory equipment used in the discovery, the salt crystal, the organism and a visit from all three of the distinguished scientists that isolated the salt sample and performed the research. Since the exhibit “Take It With a Grain of Salt: Life in Permian Period Fluid Inclusions,” first opened in May 2008, over 54,000 visitors have traveled on the hoist, 650 feet underground, to marvel at the thought that an organism 20 million years older than any dinosaur still lives. Today, Doctors Powers and Vreeland and their teams are looking for ancient DNA and bacteria in the Hutchinson Salt Mine. If found, it would take Harry’s place as the oldest organism ever found at 270 million years. What do you think we should name it?
In addition to this exhibit, there is much to explore at KUSM. Far from feeling claustrophobic, the salt museum features wide-open caverns with eleven to seventeen foot ceilings. A “dark ride” takes visitors into areas formed by over 86 years of continuous salt mining, to see fascinating geological formations and antique vehicles that have been underground for decades. There is also a good chance that you will have the opportunity to do a little salt mining yourself! Do you think that all salt is white? Think again!
Following the dark ride, wander though the exhibits at your leisure learning about the salt mining process and pondering how massive pieces of equipment ever fit down a small mine shaft, barely half the size of the modern museum shaft. Learn also how Underground Vaults and Storage stores over seven million documents, movies and TV shows underground. Hey, this sounds like another Q&A! Stay tuned for the details and check our web site at www.undergroundmuseum.org to find out tour times and how to make reservations. We hope to see you soon!
