A revolutionary discovery in the white continent reveals the presence of subterranean water in Antarctica that is connected to the ocean.
This finding challenges previous beliefs about water systems in polar regions. The lakes located in volcanic craters, once thought to be isolated, are now shown to be interconnected and in sync with ocean tides.
Led by the CSIC, the study conducted between 2024 and 2025 provides a fresh perspective on the dynamics of water beneath the Antarctic ice, suggesting that subterranean changes may be faster than those observable on the surface.
Using advanced technologies such as ice-penetrating radar and electromagnetic measurements, the researchers discovered that these bodies of water, far from being isolated, have connections with the ocean that allow an exchange of heat and salinity, affecting the behavior of the ice above them.
In a surprising twist, the freshwater lakes on Deception Island, located in volcanic craters, are not closed systems. The underground water connects with the ocean, and responds to the tides, a rare phenomenon in polar regions.
Directed by Jorge Jódar (IGME-CSIC), this is the first comprehensive description of a groundwater system in Antarctica. Previously, this system was a mystery.
Subterranean Water in Antarctica
The study highlights two key levels in the subterranean system that explain how the lakes regulate internally.
Notably, 41% of precipitation infiltrates the ground, revealing the high absorption capacity of volcanic soils, the importance of summer thawing, and its dependence on climate balance.
Deception Island, an extreme environment, features soil composed of pyroclasts, allowing rapid infiltration and circulation of water towards the ocean, keeping the lakes free of salinity.
The system’s balance is delicate, resulting in a hybrid system that, although stable, is extremely sensitive to changes in permafrost, thawing, and precipitation.
The study also introduces the estimation of the altitudinal isotopic gradient, essential for identifying the origin of the water and improving polar climate models.
In summary, this discovery not only expands knowledge about Antarctica but also opens new questions about the interaction between ice, ocean, and geological activity in extreme ecosystems.
