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Article Source: CNN
(CNN) -- Russian scientists briefly pierced the two-mile-thick veil over a freshwater lake hidden beneath Antarctica's ice sheet for millions of years, polar researchers announced Wednesday.
Scientists hope samples of Lake Vostok, a body the size of Lake Ontario, will yield signs of previously undiscovered life and new clues about the history of the planet. The lake is believed to have been covered by ice for up to 30 million years.
To be able to look at an untouched lake 30 million year old. A Land of the Lost on a microscopic scale.
oligocene a couple of links to what was happening during this period.
3 As a result of the cooling trend prevalent throughout the Oligocene Period, the lives and habitats of many organisms were directly affected. In the oceans, marine biotic provinces became more fragmented as sea dwellers capable of withstanding cooler temperatures congregated to places further from the warmer equator, where other species could better survive. The cooling trend was also responsible for the reduced diversity in marine plankton, the foundation of the food chain.
#1 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 11:50 AM ESTTo be able to look at an untouched lake 30 million year old. A Land of the Lost on a microscopic scale.
It is very exciting. I am very curious to see what is found.
coincidence this was completed just after the release of the remake of 'The Thing'? : )
Just think of the changes that occur to species when they are isolated on an island. There are all kinds of species that survive and thrive in the absence of sunlight. 30 million years of untouched evolution wow just wow.
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