Unexpected Life Forms Discovered Under Antarctic Iceberg A-84

Researchers have discovered diverse life forms beneath the A-84 iceberg, which detached from the George VI Ice Shelf in Antarctica earlier this year. The iceberg, measuring approximately 30 kilometers long and covering 510 square kilometers, revealed an area of ocean hidden for decades. Scientists aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute's (SOI) research vessel Falkor, led by Patricia Esquete from the University of Aveiro, explored the seabed using the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) SuBastian. At depths of up to 1300 meters, they found giant sea spiders, octopuses, ice fish, corals, and sponges, some hundreds of years old. Laboratory analysis may identify dozens of new species. The biodiversity was unexpected due to the thick ice blocking sunlight and surface nutrients. Scientists hypothesize that ocean currents or glacial meltwater could sustain the ecosystem. The discovery, made on January 13, highlights life's adaptability in extreme conditions and offers insights into how deep-sea ecosystems might respond to climate change, especially with accelerated melting in regions like the George VI Ice Shelf. Further studies are planned to investigate this Antarctic life and its implications for global warming.