Experts Surprised by the Discovery of Small Creatures Living Beneath Thick Ice in Antarctica
Recently, scientists were astonished to discover a living creature beneath a thick layer of ice measuring 740 meters in Antarctica. This creature has been identified as a small fish, pale pink in color, approximately 15 cm long, with a somewhat translucent skin that allows for a faint view of its internal organs.
Professor Ross Powell, a glacial geologist at Northern Illinois University, stated: “This creature was discovered accidentally when our research team lowered a camera through the ice to observe the ice mass below. We were extremely surprised to find this small fish, as we truly did not expect to discover any life in this place.”
The discovery site is located about 20 km from the coast, amidst large ice sheets. Mr. Ross Powell added: “There are about 20 to 30 individual fish congregating here; clearly, this is a living community.”
Continuing to lower the camera beneath the ice mass, the experts also encountered 2 to 3 other smaller fish, colored black and orange. They also discovered several crustacean species resembling shrimp, which were red in color.
The scientific community indicates that these discoveries overturn long-held hypotheses that the harsh environment of Antarctica—where sunlight is scarce—makes it nearly impossible for life to exist, even for microorganisms.
Experts speculate that the biological mechanisms allowing these crustaceans and fish to survive in such a severe habitat, along with their food sources, remain a mystery.
One hypothesis suggests that the food source for these organisms may be plankton that is cultivated in nearby sea areas and subsequently drifted down to this region.
Additionally, it is possible that energy from within the Earth’s core—rather than sunlight—has enabled these organisms to survive and thrive.
Currently, the research team continues to study and analyze to find a final answer to this mystery. According to Professor Powell, these discoveries will provide the scientific community with a clearer understanding of the unique ecological structure in Antarctica.
