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A 20-year research project utilizing satellite-tracked deep-diving seals has successfully mapped the ocean floor beneath the East Antarctic continental shelf. The study, conducted by researchers from the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies and the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science, provides crucial information for climate research and offers insights into the speed of glacial melting.

Exploring the depth and contours of the underwater terrain in Antarctica has always been a challenge for scientists. In the absence of direct exploration, mathematical estimations have been used to make educated guesses about the structure of the ocean floor. However, the data collected from tracking approximately 400 Weddell and elephant seals with satellite tags attached to their heads has filled in the gaps.

After analyzing data from over 500,000 dives, the researchers discovered that more than 25% of previous estimates of ocean depths were inaccurate. The seals were found to be diving hundreds of meters deeper than expected, with some reaching depths of 1,000 meters beyond what was previously thought to be the ocean floor.

The seals’ ability to dive to such extreme depths has made them ideal explorers of the remote and inhospitable Antarctic ocean floor. They search for food on the ocean bottom and travel up to 10,000 kilometers over eight months, providing valuable data on the depths, temperature, and salinity of the water. The information collected by the seals is transmitted to satellites and then relayed back to the research base in Hobart.

The study has revealed significant underwater features, including troughs off the Shackleton Ice Shelf and Underwood Glacier, as well as the discovery of a canyon that stretches 2,000 meters along the Vanderford Glacier. The newly identified Mirounga-Nuyina Canyon is of particular significance as it holds important clues about the melting of the East Antarctic ice sheet.

Understanding the structure of the coastline and the ocean floor is crucial for determining how warm water interacts with the ice shelves. This knowledge helps measure melt rates and the amount of fresh water entering the ocean. By pinpointing the locations of deep-sea trenches, scientists can gain a better understanding of why some glaciers are melting at faster rates than others.

Overall, the collaboration between scientists and deep-diving seals has provided valuable insights into the previously unexplored East Antarctic ocean floor. The new data contributes to ongoing climate research and enhances our understanding of glacial melting processes.

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