Desert potholes may provide clues to the evolution of life on
Earth. We’re all familiar with potholes – those nasty ruts in
the road that produce an uncomfortable bump when we drive over
them. But there is another kind of pothole that can be found in
the desert, far away from human traffic. Instead of being a
nuisance, these potholes provide shelter for life in a hostile
environment. These potholes also may provide clues to the
evolution of life on Earth and the possibility for life on other
worlds. In the high desert of the Colorado Plateau, wind and
rain carve out hollows in the desert sandstone, creating
potholes over time. These potholes range from several
centimeters to tens of meters in depth, and when they fill with
water they become home to a variety of organisms. However, the
water in desert potholes doesn’t last long. Rainfall in the
desert is intermittent at best. In the subzero temperatures of
winter, pothole water freezes, and in summer, when temperatures
reach as high as 140 degrees F, the water