Australian scientists discover great deep lakes in Antarctica

Australian researchers have discovered huge underwater lakes under the largest glacier in eastern Antarctica. Scientists said the research would predict how melting glaciers will affect the oceans.

Scientists detected the lakes and activated small explosives 2 meters below the surface of the Totten glacier. They also heard the sound reflected.

Dr. Ben Galton-Fenzi, a glaciologist with the Australian Antarctic Division, said the research had allowed scientists to predict how the melting of the Antarctic glaciers would alter the world's oceans.

The Totten glacier is 30 km wide and two kilometers thick. It can potentially raise the sea level by seven meters.

"Explosives were a source of sound for us … and then they would emit different layers in the ice. [una serie de micrófonos] on the surface of the glacier to hear the reflected sound, which gives us a picture of what is under the ice, "Galton-Fenzi told The Guardian newspaper.

The expert said that the speed at which glaciers are moving is determined by what they're going through: "If there is a bedrock under the glacier, it's sticky and will move slower." , but if there is water or loose sediment, the glacier will move faster. "

Galton-Fenzi badured that the next step for investigators would be to drill down to take a sample of lakes, but lamented that funding for future surveys is uncertain.

"This is the biggest problem we have to face and answers over the next two decades, I'm not a scientist who says" I need more money "… I have children ages six and eight and climate change is a real threat to them "he explained.

The scientists, who worked at the Casey Research Station, were among the more than 550 expedition members who traveled with the Australian Antarctic Program during the austral summer, working on more than 56 projects.