The Deep Carbon Observatory

Abstract

Carbon forms the chemical backbone for all essential biomolecules and is the element of life. Carbon-based fuels supply most of society's energy. Carbon-bearing molecules in the atmosphere play a vital role in climate change. Despite carbon's importance, remarkably little is known about the physical, chemical, and biological behavior of carbon-bearing systems in the vast majority of Earth's interior. A transformational understanding of Earth's deep carbon cycle will greatly advance our understanding of the planet.