Scientists have discovered a massive, previously unrecognized geological structure deep beneath the Antarctic ice. According to an article published in Geociencias de la naturaleza on June 3, 2026, researchers identified a system of 30 subglacial “V”-shaped basins radiating from a focal point near the South Pole. This “Provincia de Cuencas en Forma de Abanico de la Antártida Oriental” (EAFBP) influences ice flow and highlights the continent’s vulnerability to climate change.
What is the EAFBP and how was it found?
The EAFBP is a vast network of subglacial basins that functions as a single, coherent architectural unit. Researchers identified the structure by analyzing geophysical data and subglacial topography, revealing that the basins radiate from a point located at 86.4° S, 129.9° E. This fan-like formation stretches across a massive region, extending from the Prydz Bay to the Transantarctic Mountains. The discovery provides a new framework for understanding the geological history of the region, which predates the breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana.
How did this structure shape the Antarctic continent?
The landscape is the result of rotational intraplate extension that occurred long before Gondwana fragmented. According to the study in Geociencias de la naturaleza, this geological activity had three major consequences:
- Western compression: The forces generated by this extension led to the rise of the Gamburtsev Mountains, explaining their surprisingly young topographic appearance.
- Eastern rotation: The northern segment of the Transantarctic Mountains underwent a 20° clockwise rotation. This movement fractured the mountains into three distinct tectonic blocks and forced their differential uplift.
- Northern boundaries: The edge of this “fan” created a line of lithospheric weakness that eventually dictated how the Antarctic continent separated from Australia.
Why does this discovery matter for modern climate research?
This geological architecture is not just a relic of the past; it actively shapes the current Antarctic environment. Because significant portions of these basins lie below sea level, the EAFBP increases the susceptibility of the ice sheet to climate change. The structural limits of these basins have guided the development of deep valleys, which in turn dictate the paths of major outlet glaciers, including the Denman, Totten, and Amery glaciers. Understanding this underlying structure is essential for predicting how ice sheets will respond to warming temperatures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the EAFBP?
It is the “Provincia de Cuencas en Forma de Abanico de la Antártida Oriental,” a system of 30 subglacial basins in a “V” shape discovered beneath 3,000 meters of ice.
How does this affect current ice sheets?
The basins control the flow of major glaciers and, because they sit below sea level, they make the ice sheet more vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
When did this structure form?
The formation resulted from rotational extension that occurred before the separation of the supercontinent Gondwana.
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