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News Release 15-045
Discovered deep under Antarctic surface: Extensive, salty aquifer and potentially vast microbial habitat
Helicopter-borne instrument shows what lies beneath Antarctica's ice-free Dry Valleys
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A helicopter flies the AEM sensor over Lake Frxyell in the McMurdo Dry Valleys.
Credit: Lars Jansan, NSF
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An engineer prepares the AEM sensor for a survey flight.
Credit: Lars Jansan
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A helicopter pilot's view of the AEM sensor.
Credit: Paul Murphey, NSF
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Scientists collect data from the AEM sensor at Bull Pass in the McMurdo Dry Valleys.
Credit: Jill Mikucki, University of Tennessee
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Using a novel, helicopter-borne sensor to penetrate the surface of large swathes of terrain, a team of researchers supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) has gathered compelling evidence that beneath Antarctica's ice-free McMurdo Dry Valleys lies a salty aquifer that may support previously unknown microbial ecosystems and retain evidence of ancient climate change.
Credit: National Science Foundation