Amber Discovered For the First Time in Antarctica 361y1g What You Need to Know

A groundbreaking discovery of amber in Antarctica sheds light on ancient ecosystems. 6721x

Written by Gadgets 360 Staff | Updated: 14 November 2024 23:00 IST

Amber Discovered For the First Time in Antarctica: What You Need to Know

Photo Credit: Alfred-Wegener-Institut/V. Schumacher 436q8

Macrograph of an approximately 70 µm amber extracted from the lignite in the sediments of the MeBo core.

Highlights

Pine Island amber discovery unveils ancient Antarctic rainforest.
92 to 83 million-year-old amber found in Antarctica's Pine Island.
High-quality amber reveals clues about ancient conifer forests.

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The discovery of amber in environmental conditions near the South Pole.

Unveiling the First Antarctic Amber 5a3131

The study was amber, known as Pine Island amber, was retrieved using the MARUM-MeBo70 drill rig during a 2017 expedition on the RV Polarstern vessel. This mid-Cretaceous resin is considered a significant breakthrough as it suggests that a swampy temperate rainforest, dominated by coniferous trees, thrived in the region during a much warmer period in Earth's history. According to Dr. Henny Gerschel from the Saxon State Office for the Environment, Agriculture and Geology, the amber likely contains tiny fragments of tree bark, preserved through micro-inclusions. Its solid, translucent quality indicates that it was buried close to the surface, protecting it from thermal degradation.

Insights into Prehistoric Forest Ecosystems k6872

The presence of pathological resin flow within the amber offers clues into the defence mechanisms used by ancient trees against environmental stressors like parasites or wildfires. "This discovery hints at a much richer forest ecosystem near the South Pole during the mid-Cretaceous," Dr. Klages explained, noting the resin's defensive chemical and physical properties that protected it from insect attacks and infections.

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Reconstructing Ancient Antarctic Environments 5l2b6c

The amber's discovery marks a key step in reconstructing ancient polar climates, ing the idea that temperate forests once spanned across all continents. Researchers aim to explore further by analysing whether signs of past life are preserved in the amber. This study, beyond unearthing Antarctic amber, opens new opportunities to deepen understanding of Earth's climatic past and the adaptability of prehistoric ecosystems.

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