Scientists Unveil a Hidden, Ancient Landscape Beneath Antarctica’s Ice

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have uncovered a hidden landscape nearly two kilometers beneath Antarctica's thick ice sheet. This ancient terrain has been sealed off from sunlight for over 34 million years. Researchers from Durham University and the British Antarctic Survey recently revealed that the landscape, located beneath the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, consists of valleys, ridges, and elevated ground, once shaped by rivers and potentially covered in forests. This remarkable find was made possible by a combination of satellite data and ice-penetrating radar, which allowed scientists to map the well-preserved features of the land.

The landscape lies more than a mile below the ice's surface in Wilkes Land, a region of Antarctica. The terrain was sealed off during a global cooling event that transformed Antarctica from a lush, temperate environment into the icy desert that it is today. This “lost world” or “time capsule,” as scientists describe it, offers a rare opportunity to study a part of Earth’s history that has remained untouched for millions of years. It provides a glimpse into the ancient climate and ecosystem, offering insights into how life once thrived in the region.

Researchers believe that drilling into the ice might allow them to retrieve valuable soil samples, which could provide further clues about the prehistoric ecosystems and the types of organisms that once flourished in Antarctica. These findings could be instrumental in understanding the long-term climate evolution of the Earth and the ways in which life adapted to dramatic changes in the environment.

The discovery also raises important questions about the potential for past ecosystems to inform our understanding of future climate change. By studying this ancient landscape, scientists hope to uncover the forces that shaped the evolution of life on Earth and how organisms may have adapted to shifting environmental conditions. It may also reveal more about the factors that contributed to the global cooling event, which caused such a dramatic shift in the continent’s climate.

This discovery underscores the ongoing importance of scientific exploration in uncovering the mysteries of our planet’s history. By studying ancient landscapes that have been locked away for millions of years, scientists are gaining invaluable insights into the Earth’s past climate systems, as well as the evolution of life itself.

Sources:

• Durham University Research, "Unearthed Ancient Landscape Beneath Antarctic Ice" (2025)

• British Antarctic Survey, "New Discovery Beneath Antarctica’s Ice Sheet" (2025)

• Nature Climate Change, "Climate Shifts and Ecosystem Changes in Antarctica" (2025)