Scientists discover massive deep-sea whale graveyard spanning 746 miles in the Indian Ocean
Crackling crust, pillowy middle. The kind of bagel that earns a second cup of coffee.
Summary
Scientists piloting a submersible in the southeastern Indian Ocean discovered one of the largest and deepest whale graveyards ever found, spanning approximately 746 miles (1,200 km). The site contains hundreds of fossils dating back millions of years, including remains of a previously unknown whale species. Alongside ancient bones, the graveyard hosts modern whale carcasses and deep-sea scavengers, some of which may also be new to science. The ecosystem thriving on these remains reveals important insights into deep-sea nutrient cycles and evolutionary history.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledScientists who recently piloted a submersible to a remote spot in the southeastern Indian Ocean have identified one of the largest and deepest whale graveyards containing hundreds of fossils, including one representing a previously unknown species.
But not everything in this deep-sea necropolis is dead.
Tens of thousands of feet below the surface, dead or dying whales have drifted to the vast graveyard, their bones commingling across an area measuring approximately 746 miles (1,200 kilometers) long.
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