bacillus infernus bacillus infernus bacillus infernus is a thermophilic, strictly anaerobic bacterium of the genus bacillus that lives in deep terrestrial subsurface areas. it was first isolated in depths of 2.65 kilometers (1.65 mi) to 2.77 kilometers (1.72 mi) in the taylorsville triassic basin in virginia, and grew well at 50 °c (122 °f) but not at 40° or 65 °c. bacillus infernus scientific classification domain: bacteria phylum: bacillota class: bacilli order: bacillales family: bacillaceae genus: bacillus species: b. infernus binomial name bacillus infernusboone et al., 1995 popular culture bacillus infernus premiered in the 2008 the andromeda strain (miniseries). the bacteria's origin was erroneously attributed to hydrothermal vents instead of a buried triassic rift basin.