Lost Ancient Forests and Rivers Unearthed in Antarctica

Scientists have discovered a large ancient landscape buried under Antarctica's ice sheet, revealing that the continent was once home to rivers and forests. The landscape, located in East Antarctica's Wilkes Land area, dates back at least 14 million years and possibly even further. The discovery provides a snapshot of what Antarctica looked like before it entered its deep freeze, with climates ranging from present-day Patagonia to tropical. The fossil record is too incomplete to determine which animals inhabited the area, but drilling through the ice could potentially uncover evidence of ancient life.