10 Discoveries in Antarctica That Surprised Scientists

So what is hidden in the unknown world of Antarctica? What have scientists discovered in this region that would be considered strange and surprising so far?

Come on, let’s look at it together.

1. Mysterious underground world: Mount Erebus

Mount Erebus, Antarctica’s most active volcano, seems like an ordinary mountain at first glance. The bottom is quite mysterious. So much so that, deep within the mountain, there is a cave whose temperature reaches up to 25°C and which comes to life in complete darkness.

This discovery, made in 2017, was a discovery that evolved in these caves but has not yet been discovered in the scientific world. revealed the DNA of unintroduced living species. Although we cannot easily access this mysterious cave, it is possible to visit this mountain thanks to trips organized to Ross Island.

Here you can find exhibitions about the underground world and impressive landscapes There is also.

2. The world’s largest fish farm: Weddell Sea

With an expedition to the Weddel Sea in 2022, here Spreading over an area of ​​241 square kilometers A huge icefish breeding ground has been found. There were an average of 60 million nests in this area, each filled with adult fish protecting 1,700 eggs.

This huge fish farm is not open to public visits, but cruise ships that visit the Weddell Sea (passenger ships that offer many accommodation, dining and entertainment options; have high service standards; operate for tourist purposes on certain scheduled routes)You will have the opportunity to see seals feeding on fish owner.

3. The giant under the ice: Snow Eagle Lake

Beneath the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, A lake untouched for 34 million years there is. This city-sized lake covers an area of ​​370.17 square kilometers and is hidden in a 1.6 kilometer deep canyon.

Moreover, this lake is one of the famous lakes of the USA. much older and colder. It is not possible to visit Snow Eagle directly, but you can witness this visual feast thanks to flights over the region.

4. The deepest point of Antarctica: Factorian

Factorian Deep, discovered in the Solar Ocean, was recorded as the deepest point in Antarctica. This region, mapped in 2019, 7,437 meters below sea level It’s coming down.

Also, what is in the depths of this pit? still maintains its mystery. However, researchers continue to investigate which creatures live in this region.

5. A time capsule of sorts: The Scotia Sea

A fascinating discovery in Antarctica’s Scotia Sea has found data dating back more than a million years among seafloor sediments. ancient microorganism DNA brings it to light.

This region bears traces of ancient diatoms (algae) and allows us to understand how these creatures developed and survived during past periods of global warming.

6. Anemones appearing on the Ross Ice Shelf

When scientists delved deep into the Ross Ice Shelf, they found only He expected to encounter an empty sheet of water However, in this region they encountered a unique ecosystem of upside-down, translucent anemones.

These rather strange looking creatures, “Edwardsiella andrillae” It was described with the name and went down in history as the first species of sea anemones to live in ice.

7. Giant river system under Antarctica

Deep within this continent of ice, deeper than England’s River Thames a long network of underground rivers There is. This huge system passes under four separate ice masses and spans an area equal to the combined surface area of ​​France and Germany.

Since this river system is underground, of course it cannot be seen directly by people, but the interesting shapes it creates on the surface are It is possible to witness it with helicopter tours.

8. Fossilized plants of Antarctica

Robert Scott and his team, fossilized Glossopteris leaves of the plant randomly discovered. These fossils prove that the continent was once connected to other landmasses in the Southern Hemisphere.

Visitors can visit these historical ruins at Scott’s Museum on Ross Island. You will have the opportunity to see it in the preserved exploration hut. owner.

9. Antarctica’s most mysterious phenomenon: Giant Polynya

Based on satellite observations over Antarctica’s Weddell Sea, approximately A giant hole measuring 77,700 square kilometers detected. This ice-free area, called Polynya, is considered one of the most mysterious and largest phenomena on the continent.

This giant hole, although temporary, Cruises to Antarctica It is possible to see this structure during

10. Seymour Island’s sea monster

The latest in the list of magnificent discoveries in Antarctica belongs to a sea monster. Paleontologists in this region A 40 meter long prehistoric marine reptile They found fossils of the Plesiosaur.

According to findings, this creature lived just before the extinction of the dinosaurs. Visitors can discover Seymour Island’s fossil record during expeditions to the rich coasts can visit.

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