Scientists have discovered large areas of a perfectly flat landscape under the ice of Eastern Antarctica, which are not like the mountainous areas, which were previously considered typical of this region. The discovery was made with radar sensing.
As it turned out, smooth areas stretch along 3500 km of the coast of Eastern Antarctica. Once upon a time, they were probably part of one major relief formed by rivers before Antarctica broke away from Australia about 80 million years ago.
According to the author of the study of Dr. Guy Paksman of the University of Darem, now these ancient plains are separated by deep depressions that move glaciers. But in many places, relief remained surprisingly intact - for over 30 million years he has not undergone significant erosion. Scientists say that over equal surfaces, ice moves more slowly. This means that these areas can play the role of a natural barrier by slowing down ice loss. And this, in turn, is important for the level of the oceans - because the melting of glaciers of Eastern Antarctica can potentially raise it by more than 50 meters. According to the researchers, the plain areas should be taken into account in future forecasts that relate to climatic changes and increased sea levels. After all, how ice behaves above such zones can significantly affect the speed of its melting.
Detection of smooth areas under the ice is another proof that Antarctica hides many secrets. Its subsequent landscape, according to researchers, remains one of the least studied on Earth - and even in the solar system.
