Scientists Discover Swarms , of Amphipods in River , Deep Below Antarctic Ice.
'Newsweek' reports that swarms of crab-like creatures have been discovered in a subterranean river beneath the ice of Antarctica.
The discovery was made by a team of researchers from New Zealand studying the impact of climate change near the Ross Ice Shelf.
Scientists discovered the amphipods after drilling 1,600 feet below the surface.
Scientists discovered the amphipods after drilling 1,600 feet below the surface.
Amphipods are tiny creatures in the same family as mites, crabs and lobsters.
According to Professor Craig Stevens, a NIWA Physical Oceanographer taking part in the expedition, the discovery was a "big surprise.".
According to Professor Craig Stevens, a NIWA Physical Oceanographer taking part in the expedition, the discovery was a "big surprise.".
We were jumping up and down because having all those animals swimming around our equipment means that there's clearly an important ecosystem there, Craig Stevens, NIWA Physical Oceanographer, via 'Newsweek'.
We were jumping up and down because having all those animals swimming around our equipment means that there's clearly an important ecosystem there, Craig Stevens, NIWA Physical Oceanographer, via 'Newsweek'.
'Newsweek' reports that scientists have long known that freshwater lakes and rivers exist beneath the Antarctic ice.
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'Newsweek' reports that scientists have long known that freshwater lakes and rivers exist beneath the Antarctic ice.
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However, this is the first time the unique ecosystem has been directly observed.
Project lead Huw Horgan, from the Antarctic Research Center at Victoria University of Wellington, described the ecosystem as a, "cathedral-like cavern, teeming with life.".
He said the discovery felt , "like being the first to enter a hidden world.".
It was an incredibly exciting expedition because of the rare opportunity it offered to study this type of environment, Huw Horgan, associate professor of geophysical glaciology at the Antarctic Research Center at Victoria University of Wellington, via 'Newsweek'
