New Delhi, March 24 -- A team of scientists has uncovered a never-before-seen Antarctic ecosystem after a massive ice shelf collapse exposed a previously inaccessible seafloor. The discovery, made by researchers aboard the "R/V Falkor (too)" in January 2025, provides a rare opportunity to study life beneath the ice.

The Schmidt Ocean Institute team was conducting research when a piece of ice the size of Chicago broke off from the George VI Ice Shelf, located 57 miles away.

Expedition co-chief scientist Dr. Patricia Esquete of the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) at the University of Aveiro, Portugal, emphasized the significance of the opportunity.

"We seized upon the moment, changed our expedition plan, and went for ...