Scientists have uncovered a vast 80-million-year-old landscape buried beneath two kilometers of Antarctic ice, frozen in time for over 34 million years. Using advanced radar imaging, researchers found ancient river plains and valleys resembling modern Patagonia, offering new insights into Earth’s climate history and the evolution of Antarctica’s frozen continent.
A groundbreaking discovery has stunned researchers: beneath the thick ice sheet of East Antarctica lies a lost world dating back 80 million years. Scientists from Durham University (UK), using radar data from multiple geological expeditions, revealed an ancient landscape of river plains, valleys, and mountains, preserved under ice for more than 34 million years.
This hidden terrain suggests that Antarctica was once home to lush ecosystems, possibly resembling Patagonia or tropical rainforests, before the continent froze. The discovery not only reshapes our understanding of Antarctica’s geological past but also provides critical clues about climate change, ice sheet dynamics, and Earth’s environmental evolution.
Major Takeaways
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Ancient landscape: 80-million-year-old terrain found beneath East Antarctic ice.
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Frozen history: Preserved under ice for 34 million years.
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Geological features: Vast plains and valleys shaped by ancient rivers.
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Climate insights: Evidence of a radically different past, resembling Patagonia.
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Scientific impact: Offers new data on ice sheet behavior and climate change.
This discovery underscores Antarctica’s role as a time capsule of Earth’s history, with its frozen depths holding secrets that could reshape our understanding of planetary evolution.
Sources: Durham University Research, The Independent, ScienceAlert