Antarctica, the southernmost continent on earth, lies entirely in the Southern Hemisphere, is surrounded by the Antarctic Ocean and consists of enormous amounts of ice. It is one of the most attractive areas in the world due to its lighting, its bluish surroundings and the secrets hidden within it. A team of scientists recently published a study that sheds more light on the number of unknowns the continent can hide by finding that Antarctica has historically had rivers, valleys and mountain ridges. The research was published in Nature Communications and is based on the work of an international team of researchers commissioned by the UK’s University of Durham.
Antarctica and its depths continue to be a box of surprises for the scientific community
Stewart Jamieson, lead author of the study in question, pointed out that the research was conducted using echo radars that mapped an area of 32,000 square kilometers. A unique terrain was discovered beneath all the Antarctic ice: “What we found is an ancient land surface that has not been eroded by glaciers,” he commented. The area in question was already fully formed before the ice appeared and its appearance changed this pre-existing riverine landscape, turning it into a hidden side of Antarctica, hidden in the depths of the continent. According to radar, there were originally three elevated areas separated by two large-scale depressions: “The three blocks of highland landscape appear to have similar morphological features, each consisting of rugged terrain with an intricate network of ridges and valleys,” the experts point out.
” alt=”Antrtida” />
Neil Ross, co-author of the study, explained that this discovery is crucial for understanding Antarctica’s past and also a key element in better understanding the effects that climate change may gradually have: “It is remarkable that this “Viewed in its entirety over many years, it can tell us so much about the early and long-term history of the East Antarctic ice sheet and help us understand how it might evolve in response to future climate change.”