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A recent study has revealed that beneath East Antarctica’s ice sheet lies an ancient landscape carved by rivers, providing a snapshot of the region before the continent became covered with glaciers. Satellite data has shown that a portion of land adjacent to the Aurora and Schmidt subglacial basins has remained mostly untouched for up to 34 million years. This discovery indicates that the landscape predates the growth of the ice sheet.

Using preexisting data, researchers mapped the bumps and troughs on the ice surface, which revealed a small island of topography buried 1.2 miles below the surface. The landscape was found to consist of three blocks separated by U-shaped valleys. It is believed that these blocks were previously part of a single landmass which was later split apart due to tectonic forces during the break-up of the supercontinent Gondwana.

The formation of ice caps and subsequent melting on top of each block likely carved out valleys during the cooler climate that followed the break-up of Gondwana. The rivers that formed were flowing towards the coast, which was opening up at that time. Around 34 million years ago, the ice sheet that currently covers Antarctica grew, freezing the landscape in time.

However, not all of East Antarctica was preserved beneath the ice sheet. In areas where the ice grew thickest, the weight caused melting at the base, resulting in a thin layer of water that allowed the ice to erode the land over millions of years. In the newly discovered region, the ice did not grow thick enough to create a layer of water, causing the landscape to remain intact.

Further research is needed to determine if the landscape has remained unchanged for the past 34 million years. Periods of warming in the past may have caused some of the ice above the landscape to melt. Researchers suggest drilling through the ice to obtain a sample of the rock and sediment underneath to confirm the age of the landscape.

Understanding the landscape beneath East Antarctica’s ice sheet is crucial for predicting its future behavior in a warming world. By studying the shape of the landscape, researchers can better comprehend why the ice flows the way it does and how it may respond to future changes.

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