Scientists have identified 85 previously unknown active lakes hidden beneath Antarctica’s ice, using satellite data collected over a decade. These newly discovered subglacial lakes are “active,” meaning they periodically fill and drain, changing in size and shape over months and years.
This dynamic activity directly affects glacier stability and the friction between ice and bedrock, with potential implications for global sea levels. “It was exciting to discover that subglacial lakes can change during different filling and drainage cycles,” said Professor Anna Hogg from the University of Leeds. She emphasized that Antarctic hydrology is far more dynamic than previously thought and requires ongoing monitoring.
With this discovery, the total number of active subglacial lakes in Antarctica now rises to 231, up from 146 previously known. Lead researcher Sally Wilson noted that the team observed 12 additional full filling and drainage cycles, bringing the worldwide total to 48.
These lakes form when geothermal heat from the Earth’s interior reaches the base of a glacier or when friction from ice movement generates sufficient heat. This process can create water flows that lubricate the glacier, accelerating its movement toward the ocean.
The study, published in Nature Communications, analyzed data from the ESA’s CryoSat-2 satellite collected between 2010 and 2020. Its radar altimeter detected dozens of locations where Antarctic ice slightly sinks and rises due to lake filling and drainage. The data also revealed 25 lake clusters and five new networks of interconnected cycles.
This discovery is crucial for understanding glacier dynamics and improving future predictions of sea-level rise. Some lakes, such as Lake Vostok in East Antarctica, contain enormous amounts of water. If they were ever to drain, they could significantly impact glacier flow and contribute to global sea-level rise.
