Overview

• The A-84 iceberg, the size of Chicago, calved from the George VI Ice Shelf in January 2025, exposing a previously hidden seafloor ecosystem.
• Scientists discovered a vibrant community of deep-sea creatures, including corals, sponges, icefish, giant sea spiders, and potentially unknown species.
• The ecosystem, likely sustained by ocean currents, has existed for decades or centuries despite being cut off from surface nutrients by thick ice cover.
• The Schmidt Ocean Institute's ROV SuBastian enabled eight days of exploration at depths of up to 1,300 meters to document the ecosystem.
• The findings provide critical data on Antarctic ice sheet changes, contributing to improved climate change projections and policy recommendations.