Ancient landscape preserved under 2 kilometers of ice
offers new insight into Earth’s climate past and future
Scientists have uncovered evidence of a vast ancient
landscape buried beneath nearly 2 kilometers of Antarctic ice, revealing
a “lost world” that has remained hidden for approximately 34 million years.
The discovery provides a rare and detailed glimpse into what Antarctica looked
like before it became the frozen continent we know today.
Using advanced radar and satellite imaging technologies,
researchers mapped the bedrock beneath the East Antarctic Ice Sheet and
identified a remarkably well-preserved terrain. The buried landscape includes river
valleys, hills, and deep basins, features that suggest Antarctica was once
ice-free and shaped by flowing water rather than glaciers.
A Window into Prehistoric Antarctica
According to scientists, the landscape dates back to a time
when Antarctica experienced a much warmer climate and supported rivers,
vegetation, and ecosystems. This period ended around 34 million years ago
during a major global climate transition, when temperatures dropped and large
ice sheets began forming across the continent.
Once the ice took hold, it sealed the land beneath it,
protecting the surface from erosion and preserving it in extraordinary detail
for tens of millions of years.
Why the Discovery Is Important
Researchers say the finding is crucial for understanding how
Antarctica’s ice sheets formed and why they have remained relatively stable for
such a long time. The shape and structure of the land beneath the ice directly
influence how glaciers move today and how they may respond to future warming.
By studying this hidden terrain, scientists can improve
models that predict:
- Ice
flow toward the ocean
- Potential
sea-level rise
- Long-term
stability of Antarctic ice sheets
“This landscape is like a natural time capsule,” researchers
explain, offering insights into Earth’s climate system that would otherwise be
impossible to access.
Preserved by Ice, Revealed by Technology
Unlike exposed land surfaces that are constantly altered by
wind, water, and ice, the buried Antarctic terrain has remained largely
unchanged. Scientists describe it as one of the most intact ancient landscapes
ever discovered on Earth.
The discovery was made possible through modern
remote-sensing techniques, allowing researchers to study the continent’s hidden
geology without drilling through the ice.
Looking to the Past to Understand the Future
As global temperatures continue to rise, understanding how
Antarctica responded to past climate changes has become increasingly important.
This ancient landscape provides valuable clues about how ice sheets may behave
under future warming scenarios.
The findings underscore how much of Earth’s history remains
concealed beneath ice—and how new technologies are allowing scientists to
uncover it for the first time.
Researchers say continued study of this “lost world” will
help refine predictions about climate change and sea-level rise, offering
critical knowledge for the decades ahead.
References
- Jamieson,
S. S. R., et al. (2014).
The glacial geomorphology of Antarctica’s subglacial landscape.
Nature Geoscience, 7, 719–724.
— Documents preserved landforms beneath Antarctic ice and explains how long-term ice cover protects ancient terrain. - Paxman,
G. J. G., et al. (2019).
Reconciling Antarctic topography, erosion, and ice-sheet history.
Nature, 574, 77–80.
— Provides evidence that large parts of East Antarctica have remained ice-covered and stable for tens of millions of years. - Fielding,
C. R., et al. (2018).
Sedimentary records of Antarctic climate change during the Eocene–Oligocene transition.
Geological Society of America Bulletin, 130(1–2), 1–24.
— Explains the global climate shift around 34 million years ago that led to Antarctic glaciation. - Bingham,
R. G., & Siegert, M. J. (2009).
Radar-derived bedrock topography of Antarctica.
The Cryosphere, 3, 1–13.
— Describes radar techniques used to map subglacial landscapes beneath thick ice sheets. - British
Antarctic Survey (BAS).
Hidden landscapes beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet.
— Authoritative institutional research explaining how ancient landforms are discovered and interpreted. - NASA
Earth Observatory.
Antarctica’s buried past revealed by satellite and radar data.
— Summarizes satellite-based discoveries of ancient Antarctic geology and climate history.
