A massive iceberg, roughly the size of Chicago, broke off from Antarctica in January and sent shockwaves to scientists aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s R/V Falkor. The team was astonished to find a diverse community of organisms thriving underneath the newly calved iceberg.
The research team used a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) to explore the seafloor beneath the iceberg, discovering “flourishing ecosystems at depths as great as 1300 meters.” The team found large corals and sponges supporting a surprising array of animal life, including icefish, giant sea spiders, and octopus.
This discovery is significant because it adds to the growing list of unexpected findings in Antarctica. In recent years, scientists have discovered ancient amber indicating trees once existed on the continent 90 million years ago, mysterious features under the Dotson Ice Shelf, and an oasis of marine life underneath the Antarctic Ice Shelf.
The team believes that their work can help explain the mechanisms fueling these remote ecosystems that appear hostile to life. They also hope to contribute to efforts to preserve the ice and reduce the effects of climate change in this once-pristine environment.
“The ice loss from the Antarctic Ice Sheet is a major contributor to sea level rise worldwide,” said Dr. Sasha Montelli, co-chief scientist on the expedition. “Our work is critical for providing longer-term context of these recent changes, improving our ability to make projections of future change — projections that can inform actionable policies.”
The discovery serves as a reminder of the excitement and serendipity that comes with research at sea. As Dr. Jyotika Virmani, Executive Director of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, said, “Serendipitous moments are part of the excitement of research at sea, they offer the chance to be the first to witness the untouched beauty of our world.”
Source: https://thedebrief.org/in-antarctica-an-iceberg-the-size-of-chicago-suddenly-broke-off-revealing-a-shocking-discovery