Video: A new discovery under the ice of Antarctica helped to find out what this continent looked like 90 million years ago
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
Antarctica is a harsh land. Associations that usually arise when pronouncing this name are polar bears, penguins and dog sleds, dissecting through the centuries-old snow. Desperate explorers, overcoming incredible obstacles and difficulties, showing simply miracles of heroism, got here to explore the inhospitable continent. It's hard to believe, but scientists recently found out that once, many millions of years ago, gardens bloomed in the literal sense of the word on the place of these ice!
In the early 20th century, daring explorers like Ernest Shackleton struggled to reach the area, but they were stopped by snow, ice and extreme cold temperatures.
The weather that Shackleton's famous expedition then faced was exactly what we imagine even today. Antarctica is not a place where you can go without the warmest clothes and special equipment.
Now scientists, paleontologists and other experts of ancient times argue that this ice continent was not always so. Once upon a time, its landscape was more like a rainforest than the inside of a refrigerator, and the temperature was more than warm.
It is infinitely difficult to imagine, of course, but about 90 million years ago, the climate of Antarctica was mild and temperate. According to the sediment samples taken, lush vegetation reigned there, teeming with various living organisms. Most people will find it difficult to even imagine all the amazing variety of their species.
A team of international experts, including geologists and paleontologists, worked together. They drilled through the ice to reveal what was left of the past deep beneath it. The specialists worked on the RV Polarstern icebreaker in the Amundsen Sea near the Pine Island Glacier.
The most interesting find was one uniquely colored specimen. Scientists have done computed tomography to find out what secrets he keeps. As a result, the so-called "root fossils" were discovered - incredibly well-preserved remains of vegetation.
One of the team members, Tina van de Fleerdt of Imperial College London, called the testimony "remarkable." She then added that it shows the unexpected world of "marshy temperate rainforests" that grew close to the South Pole. Another member of the group suggested that New Zealand's South Island is probably the most comparable to the landscape that once existed under ice many millions of years ago.
The researchers found traces of conifers and other trees, ferns and even flowering plants, microorganisms. Scientists have not found any animal fossils. Nevertheless, they believe that dinosaurs once roamed here, flying reptiles and various insects were found.
Team members said the region was likely getting quite hot in the summer. Temperatures reached over 25 degrees Celsius, and in winter there were no extremely low temperatures that we today associate with Antarctica. The average annual temperature was approximately 12-13 degrees Celsius. This, to put it mildly, is very different from modern Antarctica, where in the most severe periods the temperature drops to minus forty.
In addition, there is a period of four months during which more than one ray of sunlight does not fall on the surface of these snows. The polar night ensures that no plant life can exist today, let alone prosper.
These exciting discoveries about Antarctica show how much geology and other related sciences can tell us about our planet. What our planet once looked like and, just as important, how different regions flourished and died.
The earth continues to evolve and change, never remaining the same for any period of time. We are worried that the planet is changing solely due to global warming, but this is clearly too simple a statement. Our planet was once home to dinosaurs and rainforests in the most unexpected places, but climate patterns have changed and mutated due to factors unrelated to humanity.
This is certainly a little consoling in our day, when everyone is inclined to blame modernization for all the deadly sins. Humanity tends to forget that Mother Nature itself also imposes many changes.
If you are interested in the secrets of bygone eras, read our article what secrets of the ancient peoples of the Amazon were revealed to archaeologists by space villages.
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