Antarctica is often imagined as a vast, silent desert of ice, untouched by time. But beneath its frozen surface lies a landscape far more dynamic — and far more explosive — than anyone expected. Recent research has revealed that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet sits atop one of the largest volcanic regions on Earth, containing more than 138 volcanoes, many of them towering giants hidden under several kilometers of ice.

This remarkable discovery was made by scientists from the University of Edinburgh, who used a combination of ice-penetrating radar, satellite imagery, and detailed digital elevation models to map the terrain beneath the ice. Their work uncovered 91 volcanoes that had never been identified before, buried under ice layers reaching up to 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) thick. Some of these volcanic peaks rise over 3,800 meters (12,500 feet) — comparable to the tallest mountains in the European Alps.

These hidden volcanoes form part of the West Antarctic Rift System, an enormous tectonic rift valley stretching across the continent. This region has long been suspected of volcanic activity, but the scale revealed by recent research far exceeds previous estimates. While most of these volcanoes are considered dormant, their presence is anything but harmless. Scientists believe that geothermal heat from this volcanic system may be contributing to the thinning and melting of the overlying ice sheet. This heat can weaken the base of the ice, increasing glacial flow and potentially accelerating Antarctica’s contribution to global sea level rise.

Understanding this volcanic network is crucial, because the melting of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is already one of the most significant uncertainties in climate change predictions. Studies published by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) show that even small changes in geothermal heat can influence how quickly ice melts from below. Additional research from the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth suggests that volcanic activity may play a more active role in long-term ice stability than previously recognized.

Although Antarctica appears frozen, distant, and unchanging, the continent sits above a hidden world of fire that continues to shape its evolution. The discovery of this vast volcanic province not only reshapes our understanding of Antarctic geology but also raises important questions about how these deep-earth processes might affect the planet’s future climate.

Antarctica may look calm on the surface — but beneath the ice, a fiery world is still very much alive.