A science expedition in the Antarctic uncovered a vibrant deep-sea ecosystem teeming with life after a massive iceberg, the size of Chicago, broke off from the George VI Ice Shelf. Researchers aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute vessel expected barren seafloor conditions but instead discovered corals, sponges, sea spiders, fish, and possibly dozens of new species thriving 1,300 meters below the ocean surface.
The revelation raises profound questions about how life has sustained itself in complete darkness beneath ice that was once 150 meters thick. Scientists speculate that unseen currents and unknown biochemical processes may have supported this hidden biodiversity for centuries.
However, the iceberg calving—driven by climate change—marks a significant shift in this ecosystem’s history. With the ice gone, researchers are eager to establish baseline data to monitor how this deep-sea community adapts to its new reality. The findings underscore both the resilience of life in extreme environments and the accelerating transformations in the polar regions due to global warming.
Source: Swifteradio.com
