Antarctica ice sheets hold a vast amount of lakes underneath, these growing and shrinking lakes are the real gems of intensely cold water. There are more than 400 known lakes lying on the bed of Antarctica’s ice sheets, the depth of the hidden lakes is thought to be 1.2 to 2.5 miles which are 2 to 4 kilometres.
Moreover, throughout several years, samples of different types of bacteria are found underneath the Antarctic ocean. For instance; in 2004, the DNA of bacteria “hydrogenophilus thermoluteolus” was found in Lake Vostok (Greenland, Antarctica) which usually lives in hot springs with temperatures of 50C to 52C.
Researchers found an association of genetic materials of this bacteria with marine mollusks, crustaceans as well as fish.
Does anything live underneath Antarctica?
In 2004, the DNA of bacteria hydrogenophilus thermoluteolus was found in Lake Vostok (Greenland, Antarctica) which usually lives in hot springs with temperatures of 50C to 52C. Researchers found an association of genetic materials of this bacteria with marine mollusks, crustaceans as well as fish.
In 2015, Russian Scientists came across 49 samples of different bacteria in Lake Vostok, however, only two of them were truly studied in which one was similar to Janthinobacterium SP, on the other hand, the second bacterial species is still unknown.
In 2018, while checking on the old samples of Lake Vostok another inhabitant caught scientist’s attention, inhabitant came out to be the representative of genus Lactobacillus. Turns out that “organic matter” is the feeding source of this microorganism which is pretty much questionable because the organic matter does not exist on the surface of the frozen lake.
It is thought that the severe climate changes will bring us more Pathogenic viruses and bacterial samples because climate change will cause melting of ice and the warm, melted ice water holds the capacity of activating millions of years old deadly viruses and bacteria. Scientists are still hoping for new water bodies, however, there are more than 400 known lakes lying on the bed of Antarctica’s ice sheets.
How do the species underneath Antarctica survive?
Recently, geologists have came across a baffling sponge like species lying a half of a mile underneath the giant Filchner-Ronne ice cap (Antarctica) while digging a hole into 3,000-foot thick ice using a hot-water drill.
These bloblike protrusions sponges are thought to be surviving on floating material of other animals or plants, however, it is advised by the geologist to wait for the new research about how these animals get their food and survive through such cold temperatures.
What is buried under Antarctica?
At the end of the year 2019, a team of Japanese and Norwegian researchers came across a hidden “Dark river” underneath thick ice caps with absolutely no sunlight. The reported length of the underground river is 1,600 kilometres. It is believed that this river might hold some life in it, which will soon be discovered in the coming future.
Researchers used special Radars for mapping the location of this river lying 1.6 thousand kilometres deep in the deadly frozen water of Greenland. It exists right in the centre of the island where the water flows in sea on the northern coast (below Petermann Fjord).
Is there land under Antarctica?
There is no plain land underneath Antarctica’s oceans, however, it has rocky bottoms. The rocky bottoms play an essential role for making liquid water and maintaining the flow of huge ice sheets.
The less stable bottom of the ocean causes friction and friction leads to warm temperatures in the depth of the sea reaching upto 10c.
How many regions of Antarctica are there?
The whole area (Antarctica) is basically divided into three regions: East Antarctica, West Antarctica and finally the Antarctic Peninsula.
The major section of Antarctic ice is located in East Antarctica and has the maximum freshwater of the entire World, holding up to more than 2000 feet of ice. This sector includes mountains (Gamburtsev Mountain Range) and flatter plains as well.
West Antarctica got its ocean bowl created during the last ice age making its landmass more vulnerable to melting. Since its ground lies nearly below sea level, it also lacks mountain ridges (works as glaciers stabilisers) which plays a vital role in thinning of ice sheets.
This sector (West Antarctica) of the Antarctic ice sheet has become capable of melting ice at tripled levels due to lack of landmass whereas in East Antarctica the rate of melting ice has ceased so far ( according to data collected between 1996 and 2006).
The Antarctic Peninsula (Palmer Peninsula) has the spine of mountains, starting from the northwest and extending towards the southern (South America) tip.
What is causing Antarctic ice to melt?
Recently, scientists have observed the ice in the Antarctic ocean has started melting and is massively losing its mass . The particular reason is still not defined but the suggestions about the loss include human activities due to which the ozone layer is getting affected more quickly above Antarctic poles relative to the other parts of the world.
Global Warming can be a primary reason for the melting of Antarctic ice. Since it is pretty much clear that the glaciers, which are the main reason for the production of ice sheets, are losing their mass at a rate which is six times faster than that of 40 years ago (252 gigatons of ice per year).
Where is the deepest land canyon?
Deep down in East Antarctica’s Denman Glacier, a hidden land canyon appeared 11,000 feet below sea level which is pretty much far deeper than the dead sea itself; whereas the least exposed land region just sits 1,419 feet below sea level.
NASA provided us with a detailed map of the continent in which it revealed hidden topographical features. It has come across wider ridges, protecting the glaciers flowing through the Transantarctic Mountains (the mountains particularly divide East and West Antarctica).
What If Antarctica’s ice melts completely?
Melting of all the ice in Antarctica will shockingly raise the global sea levels upto 200 feet. This much increase in sea level will play an essential role in wiping off the coastal cities near the region and not just that it will become capable of wiping several countries from the world map all at once.
