[13][14] Life in subglacial lakes would have to adapt to total darkness, low nutrient levels, high water pressure, and isolation from the atmosphere.

The lake remains liquid deep below the Antarctic surface because the pressure exerted by thousands of meters of ice drives down the freezing point of water.

[14] On 2 March 2009 the UK's Natural Environment Research Council authorized a team of British scientists to drill through the overlaying ice to the surface of the lake in December 2012.

[15] The British team spent sixteen years developing the technology to explore the lake using methods that would not lead to chemical or biological contamination.

Professor Siegert considered that the search, if successful, could create the possibility of exploring for life in similar extreme environments, such as Jupiter's moon Europa.

From the principal investigator, Professor Martin Siegert:Drilling stopped after the team was unable to form the water-filled cavity 300 metres beneath the ice.

Sixteen years ago, we hypothesised that deep-water subglacial lakes are viable habitats for life, and contain important records of ice and climate history.

The additional time taken to attempt to establish the cavity link significantly depleted the fuel stocks to such a level as to render the remaining operation unviable.