46 subglacial lakes discovered in East Antarctica

Researchers from the Chinese Polar Research Institute, China University of Earth Sciences and China Southern University of Science and Technology have studied the ice sheets in East Antarctica, Xinhua agency reported.

The researchers said they used a new method to analyze the waveforms of ice-floor reflections seen in "ice radar" data and conducted a comprehensive study of the Gamburtsev Range.
Noting that they discovered 46 subglacial lakes in the region as a result of the study, the researchers emphasized that this research is important in understanding the dynamics of ice sheets in Antarctica and the stages of life.

Researchers pointed out that there are various subglacial lakes under Antarctica, which is covered with an ice sheet about 2,400 meters thick.

Professor Francesca Pellicciotti from the Austrian Institute of Science and Technology said that the temperature difference between the surface glaciers melting due to the warm weather and the lower layers leads to the formation of an air gap and thus strong cold winds descending towards the slopes. Noting that these cold winds penetrate deep into the slopes of the mountains and valleys where glaciers are located, Pellicciotti said that this situation leads to cooling in the ecosystem of the region.