Antarctica's Hidden World: Unveiling Secrets Beneath the Ice

From afar, Antarctica appears as a desolate expanse of ice. However, beneath its icy surface lies a hidden world. The continent is largely covered by ice, averaging 2.2 km in depth, untouched for over 34 million years. Scientists are only beginning to uncover what lies beneath. More than 400 frozen lakes are hidden beneath the ice, including Lake Vostok. These lakes may harbor unique life forms. Dr. Johann Klages' team discovered an amber fossil, the first in Antarctica, suggesting a rainforest existed there 90 million years ago. Beneath the ice, a network of rivers flows in unusual patterns. Dr. Christine Dow used radar to study these rivers, finding they flow uphill. Wet sediment beneath aids the ice's movement into the ocean. Understanding this movement is crucial. As the ice melts, the ground beneath becomes significant. Large parts of West Antarctica are below sea level and will flood. This knowledge is vital for predicting the Antarctic ice sheet's changes. Scientists are just starting to explore this complex world.