Scientists have learned of the existence of pathogens in a glacier. The viruses are said to be 15.000 years old.

The story is worthy of a horror movie, a team of American researchers has discovered viruses, never seen before. The pathogens were trapped in an ice sample in Tibet. Relayed by CTVNews and Slate, the study published in the journal Microbiome on July 20, affirms that this “find” is extremely rare, it is only the third time that unknown viruses have been detected in an ice cap.

However, this finding is important to scientists. It will shed light on and better understand the origin of these viruses and why they manage to survive so long in extreme conditions.

“We know very little about the viruses and microbes that live in these extreme environments, and what really is there,” Lonnie Thompson, lead author of the study and earth scientist at Ohio University, said in a statement. “It is extremely important to document and understand this: How do bacteria and viruses react to climate change? What happens when we go from an ice age to a warm period like the one we are experiencing now? “

Regarding these 33 viruses, they pose no threat to humans and animals. These pathogens only live in old plants or organisms living on the ground.