Chinese scientists discover 46 subglacial lakes in Antarctica

Chinese scientists have discovered 46 subglacial lakes in East Antarctica. In doing so, they used an innovative research method. This is reported by Xinhua News Agency, a partner of the TV BRICS.

The experts presented a new method using neural networks to analyse the ice bed reflection waveform features shown in ice radar data. Using the novel approach, the research team conducted a comprehensive scan of ice radar images in the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains region of East Antarctica. As a result, they identified 46 subglacial lakes.

This study was conducted jointly by teams from PRIC, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) as well as Southern University of Science and Technology.

According to available statistics, scientists around the world have discovered a total of 675 subglacial lakes under the Antarctic ice sheet, which has an average thickness of 2,400 metres. Three of them have been successfully drilled and scientists have taken samples from these reservoirs.

The largest subglacial lake in Antarctica, Lake Vostok, is located at a depth of about 4,000 metres under the Antarctic ice sheet in the area where the station of the same name is located. The size of the unique water body is astonishing. The length of the lake reaches two hundred and fifty kilometres, it goes deep into the ice continent for an incredible 1200 kilometres. Lake Vostok has many exceptional features: it not only does not freeze, despite the extremely low water temperature, but also remains a comfortable enough environment for microorganisms to survive in it.

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