Scientists Discover Hidden Antarctic Ecosystem Beneath Collapsed Ice Shelf
A team of researchers has uncovered a previously unknown ecosystem beneath the Antarctic ice, following the dramatic collapse of a large section of the George VI Ice Shelf earlier this year.
In January 2025, a piece of the ice shelf roughly the size of Chicago broke away, exposing a stretch of seafloor that had been concealed for centuries. Scientists aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor (too) quickly mobilized to explore the newly revealed region, located approximately 57 miles from the original shelf edge.
“This opportunity was unprecedented,” said Dr. Jyotika Virmani, executive director of the Schmidt Ocean Institute. “To reach the area so soon after the ice broke allowed us to observe this untouched ecosystem in real time.”
Led by Dr. Patricia Esquete, the team wasted no time. Within a day, they deployed a remotely operated submersible, ROV SuBastian, sending it more than 1,000 meters beneath the icy waters of the Bellingshausen Sea. The live footage astonished the researchers.
“The very first sighting was a giant sponge with a crab perched on it,” Esquete said. “That alone was remarkable because we weren’t sure if there would be life at all.”
The discovery suggests the ecosystem has existed and thrived undisturbed for a significant period. Sponges, which grow at a rate of just a few centimeters per year, along with large corals and anemones, were seen supporting diverse marine species such as icefish, giant sea spiders, and octopi.
The ROV explored the area for eight days, revealing not only established marine communities but also contributing to the identification of at least six previously unknown species. Researchers are currently analyzing the footage and samples to learn more about how these organisms survive, particularly how they receive the energy needed to sustain life in such an isolated environment. Preliminary hypotheses suggest ocean currents may play a key role by transporting nutrients beneath the ice.
“All of our research is open access,” Virmani noted, “meaning scientists worldwide can review, analyze, and build upon our findings.”
The team’s work is far from over. Plans are already in place to return to the region in 2028 to continue studying how the rapidly changing Antarctic environment is affecting ecosystems once hidden beneath the ice.
“The Antarctic is transforming at an extraordinary pace,” Esquete said. “If we hope to understand the future of these fragile ecosystems, ongoing research is essential.”
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