Hidden Mountain Range Discovered Beneath Antarctica’s Ice Sheets

Fast summary

• Antarctica’s Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains are buried under about 10,000 feet of ice and rise over 9,000 feet above sea level.
• These peaks match the size and shape of Switzerland’s Alps and include Earth’s coldest point.
• Geologists suggest they formed during tectonic plate collisions around Gondwana supercontinent formation roughly 650 million years ago.
• The mountains rose to Himalayan heights by approximately 580 million years ago before collapsing due to molten rock activity beneath them. They sank by about 500 million years ago.
• Zircon grains from rivers more than 250 million years ago allow scientists to measure the timing of these events through uranium decay.
• Covered by ice for millions of years, the range is excellently preserved compared to exposed mountain ranges subject to erosion.
• Extracting rock samples beneath Antarctic ice could provide more insights but poses significant logistical challenges.

Read More: Did an Ancient Civilization Ever Live in Antarctica?

Indian Opinion Analysis

The discovery and analysis of Antarctica’s Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains hold global geological significance, including implications for India’s past continental ties as part of Gondwana. India’s tectonic history aligns with these findings as it was part of this massive supercontinent along with Africa, South America, Australia, and Antarctica. Understanding such ancient formations contributes not only to reconstructing Earth’s geological past but also aids modern studies on environmental preservation.

Additionally,breakthroughs like zircon grain analyses demonstrate how scientific advancements can unlock secrets covered by natural barriers like ice sheets-an approach that resonates with India’s growing focus on innovation-driven research in geoscience and climate studies. However, practical limitations such as the immense costs associated with drilling through Antarctic ice highlight challenges that governments or scientific communities worldwide must cooperate on addressing.

Read More: What the Mysterious Bloop Taught Us About Antarctica