The “hidden world” – the home of shrimp-like creatures – was found in a huge cathedral-like cave beneath the Ross ice shelf, a floating ice sheet attached to the continent’s east coast. The researchers were there and explored the role that the underground estuary could play as the ice melts due to the climate crisis. But when they pierced the ice, their camera was full of amphibians, small creatures of the same lineage as lobsters and crabs. “We thought something was wrong with the camera, but as the focus improved, we noticed a swarm of arthropods about 5 millimeters in size,” said Craig Stevens of the National Zealand Institute of Water and Atmosphere, which conducted the research. “We did experiments in other parts of the ice shelf and thought we had a handle on things, but this time they had big surprises in store. “We were jumping up and down because swimming all these animals around our equipment means that there is clearly an important ecosystem there.” The project leader, Huw Horgan of Te Herenga Waka Victoria University in Wellington, was the first to spot the river estuary after observing a groove in the ice while studying satellite images of the icebox. Researchers have known for some time about a network of hidden lakes and freshwater rivers beneath Antarctic ice sheets, but they have not yet been directly investigated, Mr Horgan said. “Observing and sampling this river was like being the first to enter a hidden world,” he added. Instruments were left in the river to observe its behavior, he said, while laboratory researchers would investigate what makes the water unique. The group’s findings were further extended. He had just developed his mooring a few days before the eruption of the Tonga Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai volcano. The group’s organs detected a significant change in pressure as the tsunami crossed the cavity. Seeing the effects of the explosion reminded Stevens of how connected the planet is. “Here we are, in a forgotten corner of the world, seeing in real time influences from events that felt far away. “It was very remarkable,” he said.
