Fire under ice: Chinese scientists find 207 volcanoes under Antarctic glaciers
A China-led team has archived 207 volcanoes hidden under Antarctic ice. This breakthrough helps scientists understand how geothermal heat affects global sea levels.
An artistic representation of a vast Antarctic ice sheet hiding massive subglacial volcanoes. (Generative AI/India Today)
Scientists have uncovered a hidden world beneath the icy plains of Antarctica. A China-led international research team has produced the first comprehensive identity archive of 207 subglacial volcanoes.
This massive project, published February 3 in the journal Earth-Science Reviews, introduces the ANT-SGV-25 catalogue.
ANT-SGV-25 is the world’s first comprehensive digital archive of subglacial volcanoes in Antarctica.
This catalogue functions as a genealogy or identity database for 207 known volcanoes hidden beneath the massive Antarctic ice sheet.
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The name stands for Antarctic Subglacial Volcanoes 2025. It was developed by the Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC) in collaboration with institutions like the University of Exeter.
It fills a significant gap in our understanding of the morphology and distribution of these geological giants.
ARE THERE ACTIVE VOLCANOES BENEATH ANTARCTIC ICE?
While many associate the frozen continent with stillness, it is actually a volcanic hotspot. The new database reveals that these 207 volcanoes are tucked away under the ice sheet.
Knowing where they are is vital because any eruption could melt surrounding ice, potentially contributing to rising sea levels.
The archive provides a detailed map of their shapes and sizes, helping experts predict how they might interact with the changing climate.
HOW DOES THE NEW CATALOGUE HELP SCIENTISTS?
Before this breakthrough, data on these hidden peaks was scattered and incomplete. The team compiled existing scientific records to create a unified reference point for the global community.
By organising this information into a public data product, researchers can now study the continent's crustal structure with greater precision.
It allows for better modelling of geothermal heat flow, which is a major factor in how fast ice sheets move towards the ocean.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF SUBGLACIAL VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS?
An eruption under several kilometres of ice does not look like a typical explosion. Instead, it creates massive pockets of meltwater.
This water acts as a lubricant, causing glaciers to slide faster into the sea.
By identifying the exact coordinates and characteristics of these 207 features, the scientific community can monitor hot zones more effectively.
This research marks a turning point in polar studies, ensuring that these hidden fire giants are no longer a mystery to the world.
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