Lost world discovered beneath 2 kilometres of Antarctic ice
Hidden beneath more than 2 kilometres of Antarctic ice lies an ancient landscape that has remained virtually untouched for over 34 million years.
A new study led by Durham University researcher Stewart Jamieson, published in Nature, reveals a discovery that opens a stunning new window into the continent’s deep past, when rivers flowed, forests flourished, and dinosaurs roamed where ice now dominates.
A long-lost world beneath the ice
According to The Brighter Side, researchers used Canada’s RADARSAT satellite system to detect the hidden terrain, which spans approximately 20,000 square kilometres beneath the ice. By analysing subtle variations in the surface of the ice, scientists were able to map the ancient topography buried below.
The result: a prehistoric, river-shaped landscape preserved under the weight of the ice sheet. The terrain predates the formation of glaciers, originating from a time when Antarctica was part of the supercontinent Gondwana, long before it became the frozen desert we know today.
From Gondwana to the Ice Age
Antarctica was once connected to Africa, South America, and Australia as part of the supercontinent Gondwana. About 34 million years ago, during the Eocene-Oligocene transition, global temperatures dropped dramatically and atmospheric CO₂ levels fell below a critical threshold.
This shift led to the formation of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, with high mountain ranges like the Gamburtsev and Transantarctic Mountains becoming the core of the expanding ice. Since then, the ice sheet has been in a constant state of flux.
Throughout the Miocene epoch (17 to 14 million years ago), shifts in climate caused the ice to retreat and expand multiple times. In warmer intervals, such as the mid-Pliocene and interglacial periods of the Pleistocene, the ice receded, leaving behind deep imprints in the subglacial terrain that modern geophysical techniques can now detect.
The role of satellites and geophysical research
Thanks to RADARSAT satellites, researchers were able to map the ice-covered landscape by examining how the tilt of the ice surface changes across different regions. In addition, radio-echo sounding (RES) measurements conducted as part of the international ICECAP research program provided further insight.
These investigations revealed under-ice features inconsistent with current glacial movement, suggesting they were carved by flowing water before glaciers took over. Further techniques, including flexural modelling, indicated that what are now highland blocks were likely once a contiguous land surface that was later eroded and sculpted by river systems.
These findings offer a more detailed picture of how the Antarctic Ice Sheet formed and highlight the ancient river networks that helped shape the terrain.
The discovery goes beyond historical curiosity. It may help scientists understand how the East Antarctic Ice Sheet could respond to current and future global warming.
This particular ice sheet is highly sensitive to climatic and oceanic changes. Its potential retreat could significantly contribute to rising sea levels. Researchers emphasise that analysing the subglacial landscape is key to reconstructing the ice sheet’s past behaviour and anticipating its future.
What can we learn from this forgotten world?
The uncovering of ancient Antarctic river systems proves that modern technology can unlock Earth’s distant past.
By combining geological data with subglacial terrain mapping, scientists are forging a bridge between Earth’s prehistoric landscapes and today’s climate challenges. This knowledge not only satisfies scientific curiosity but also underscores how our planet’s past, present, and future are deeply interconnected.
The prehistoric landscape buried beneath Antarctica’s ice holds critical clues to understanding the impacts of climate change and how we might prepare for the planet’s rapidly shifting environmental conditions.
This discovery is a profound reminder of how Earth has been shaped by transformations over millions of years: transformations that continue today.
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