Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Amber was found in western Antarctica, revealing fossilized tree resin over 40,000 years old, providing a new glimpse into the continent’s verdant past. (Source: Alfred Wegener Institute)
The amber suggests Antarctica once hosted swampy temperate rainforests, reshaping its icy image into a land teeming with trees and life.
Dating back 90 million years, this discovery places Antarctica’s forests during the Cretaceous period, an era when Earth was much warmer.
Scientists have also uncovered roots, pollen, and spores in the region, corroborating the existence of an ancient ecosystem beneath the ice.
During the Cretaceous period, Antarctica had already split from the supercontinent Pangea, forming a distinct habitat with thriving vegetation.
Johann Klages of the Alfred Wegener Institute highlighted the excitement of discovering that all seven continents once supported resin-producing trees.
Researchers aim to uncover more about this ancient ecosystem, investigating whether it burned down or preserved life within the amber.
This discovery reinforces that Antarctica wasn’t always a frozen desert but part of Earth’s lush, interconnected biosphere.
The findings set the stage for further exploration into Antarctica’s pre-ice age history, offering insights into Earth’s climatic evolution.