When was this published?

This article was first published on July 25, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.

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This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7.

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If another advanced civilization lived on Earth before us, would we know?

Summary by The El Paso Editorial Desk · Byline on the source page: CNN Newsource, as published by KVIA ABC-7 · July 25, 2026 · 1 min read

Photo: KVIA ABC-7 · view original

A discussion between two scientists has raised an interesting question about the possibility of advanced civilizations existing on Earth before humans. Astrobiologist Adam Frank and NASA scientist Gav

Why this matters in The El Paso

The concept of the Silurian hypothesis, explored by astrobiologist Adam Frank and NASA scientist Gavin Schmidt, has significant implications for El Paso residents, who are already experiencing the effects of climate change firsthand. As a community situated in a region prone to extreme heat and drought, El Pasoans are deeply invested in understanding the long-term consequences of human activities on the environment. The idea that advanced civilizations may be destined to burn out due to their energy consumption habits resonates particularly in a city where sustainable practices and environmental stewardship are increasingly important. As Texas Tech University's Katharine Hayhoe notes, the Silurian hypothesis is a thought experiment that exposes global vulnerability, and El Paso's unique position at the intersection of the US-Mexico border and the Chihuahuan Desert makes it a critical location for exploring these questions.

About this story

As published by KVIA ABC-7. The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7. Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: local · Published: July 25, 2026 · Source: KVIA ABC-7 · Reading time: 1 min

Summary created by	The El Paso Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Byline on source page	CNN Newsource, as published by KVIA ABC-7
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 25, 2026
Indexed here	Jul 25, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

If another advanced civilization lived on Earth before us, would we know?

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