Antarctica harbours hidden interconnected lakes underneath its dry valleys that could sustain life and shed light on ancient climate change, scientists have found using an airborne imaging system.Researchers detected extensive salty groundwater networks in Antarctica using a novel airborne electromagnetic mapping sensor system called SkyTEM.
The research provides compelling evidence that the underground lakes and brine-saturated sediments may support subsurface microbial ecosystems. The findings allow scientists to better learn how Antarctica has responded to climate change over time and help them understand glacial dynamics.