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Message: <blockquote data-quote="LightPhoenix" data-source="post: 3193067" data-attributes="member: 115">It's possible, but I don't think it's possible on a plantary scale.  Chemosynthetic organisms (or the radiosynthetic one recently discovered) are pretty small as it is, and mostly anaerobic.  The problem with chemosythetic organisms in a minimal/no-sun world are numerous.  Access to geothermal energy is generally deep underground, and where it isn't (volcanoes) they are pretty harsh conditions... life wouldn't flourish in the caldera of an active volcano.  While cryo-resistant anaerobic bacteria would flourish, they wouldn't flourish fast enough for all life to be preserved, and there isn't much in the way of nutrients on top of glaciers - it's all at ground level.  Furthermore, existing life would burn through oxygen in the atmosphere rather quickly, as oxygen-producing plants would die pretty quickly.  Without plants, there's no herbivores, without them there's no carnivores.  Some fungi may be able to live without light, yes, and they would thrive with all the carcasses around.  However, even fungi need oxygen, and they don't produce it, so while they would be the last complex organisms to go, more than likely, they too would eventually die off.   Within a century life would be destroyed, no doubt.The basic premise requires a giant handwave - just assume it works and don't worry about it.  Science and fantasy don't get along well at all.</blockquote>