A groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications has revealed an over 30-million-year-old lost world beneath the Antarctic ice. Researchers from Durham University and international partners discovered an ancient ecosystem buried under the ice, featuring rivers, forests, and possibly even palm trees.
The discovery was made after field work began in 2017, where the team drilled into sediments to extract information about an ecosystem buried beneath the ice. The analysis of these sediments led to the discovery of a subglacial landmass measuring over 12,000 square miles, roughly the size of Maryland.
Using advanced tools like ground-penetrating radar, the team pinpointed blocks of elevated ground separated by valleys and estimated that this landscape was likely created by rivers. The study suggests that the prehistoric landscape formed before the first large-scale glaciation of Antarctica 34 million years ago.
The researchers found ancient palm pollen near the site, supporting a theory that the region once featured flowing rivers and dense forests in a temperate or tropical climate. Microorganisms discovered at the repository also indicated warmer seas and greater biodiversity during this time.
According to Professor Stewart Jamieson, the discovery provides insights into how climate and geography intertwine, helping experts predict melting patterns today. The study’s findings indicate that the greening of Antarctica is not a modern phenomenon but rather part of its geological history.
The team hopes to analyze the structure and evolution of the hidden landscape to better understand how it was shaped by prehistoric ice and how this knowledge can inform climate predictions in the future.
Source: https://nypost.com/2025/06/12/science/30-million-year-old-lost-world-beneath-antarctic-ice-discovered-like-opening-a-time-capsule