Beneath the icy edge of Antarctica, scientists have unveiled a truly stunning discovery: a previously unknown network of over 300 underwater canyons, carved into the edge of the continent and stretching deep into the ocean’s abyss. Some plunge more than 13,000 feet into the depths—far beyond what earlier studies had imagined.
A canyon map five times larger than expected
Thanks to cutting-edge bathymetric data—high-resolution mapping of the ocean floor—researchers from University College Cork (Ireland) and the University of Barcelona (Spain) have identified no fewer than 332 submarine canyons. That’s five times more than what previous research had shown.
“These canyons are astonishingly deep,” explained David Amblàs of the University of Barcelona. “Some of them go beyond 13,000 feet.”
In East Antarctica, the landscape is particularly striking: intricate, branching systems of canyons often start with multiple heads near the edge of the continental shelf. These channels then merge and plunge down the steep slopes into the deep ocean.
On the flip side, West Antarctica tells a different story. There, the canyons are shorter, narrower and V-shaped—more abrupt and carved. This contrast may well reflect how different the geological histories are between East and West. The eastern ice sheet is thought to be significantly older than the western one—a hypothesis that now shows up clearly in the actual shapes of the seafloor formations.
Map from the new study showing the underwater canyons extending from the Antarctic coast. © R Arosio & D Amblas, Marine Geology, 2019
The icy continent’s hidden veins
Despite the usual image of Antarctica as a drifting ice block, it’s actually a massive, rocky continent—not unlike North America or Europe—filled with mountains, valleys, and colossal canyons. These hidden canyons stretch from the continental shelf toward the sea, like deep veins pulsing under the ice.
And they’re not just beautiful features. These structures play a vital role in global ocean circulation. They link shallow waters with deeper layers and house rich marine ecosystems teeming with life. Globally, around 10,000 submarine canyons have been mapped so far, but given that less than a third of the ocean floor has been thoroughly studied, the true number could be far higher.
What it means for future climate studies
“This is why we need to keep collecting high-resolution data in unmapped areas,” stress the researchers. “We’re certain to find even more canyons. We also need to gather in-situ and remote sensor observations and improve our climate models so they can better represent these processes.”
Though invisible from above, these massive canyons are shaping the way our oceans function. Their discovery is a strong reminder of just how much of our planet remains unexplored—and just how many answers to our climate future may be lying quietly at the bottom of the sea.
Cécile Breton
Journalist
Since childhood, books, photography, and travel have been part of my world. Fascinated by life, by the stars, by landscapes that tell stories without a single word, I quickly realized that I needed to express what I saw and felt.
Passionate about the world around me, I first pursued a degree in History at university, driven by my fascination with the stories of the past and the great civilizations that shaped our world. But over the years, another truth became clear: I didn’t want to spend my life in archives or research. I wanted to be out in the field, behind a camera or in front of a microphone, sharing what I learned.
So, I took a new path. I chose journalism, to learn how to tell stories differently—with rigor and clarity. I learned how to write, to interview, to edit, to capture both attention and emotion.
Giving meaning and sharing what matters
Since then, I’ve worked across different media: print, web, radio, television, and video. All of this has allowed me to bring to life topics that matter deeply to me: nature, animals, space, and the major environmental and human issues of our time.
Today, I continue my journey as a journalist at Futura. As part of the editorial team, I strive to share knowledge with curiosity, clarity, and passion. My guiding thread? To make visible what deserves to be seen, understood, and shared—and to keep my sense of wonder alive.
