Home / Environment / Melting Glaciers Reveal Whale Fossils in Franz Josef Land
Melting Glaciers Reveal Whale Fossils in Franz Josef Land
21 Jul
Summary
- Rapid retreat of glacier on Wilczek Land Island in Franz Josef Land
- Glacier split into two parts in less than 20 years
- Many well-preserved whale skeletons found on exposed sea terrace
In a recent expedition, researchers from the Arctic Floating University have documented an alarming rate of glacier retreat on the Wilczek Land Island in the Franz Josef Land archipelago. By comparing satellite imagery from the past 20 years, they found that the island's glacial dome has split into two separate parts during this time period, exposing a surface area of several square kilometers.
Remarkably, the researchers discovered numerous well-preserved whale skeletons on the newly emerged sea terrace. This paleontological find suggests that the Franz Josef Land region has experienced an episode of extremely rapid sea level change within the last few thousand years.
The expedition, which departed from Arkhangelsk on July 9th and will continue until August 1st, is sponsored by Russia's Ministry of Science and Higher Education, VTB Bank, the Russian Geographical Society, Norilsk Nickel, and the Floating University Coordination Center at MIPT. The team's findings provide further evidence of the dramatic environmental changes taking place in the rapidly warming Arctic region.
