Scientists have uncovered the oldest, deepest, and most extensive whale graveyard ever found in the southeastern Indian Ocean, with fossils dating back more than 5 million years. The discovery, made in the Diamantina fracture zone, includes whale remains at depths exceeding 7 kilometers, spanning hundreds of miles across the seafloor.
Discovery Details
Whale falls, which occur when dead whales sink to the ocean floor, are not uncommon, but most are found at depths less than 4 kilometers. This newly discovered necropolis reaches depths of over 7 kilometers and contains 485 whale-fossil sites, along with five modern natural whale falls in advanced decomposition.
The largest carcass found was a five-meter-long skeleton of an Antarctic minke whale. Researchers also discovered fossils of extinct species, including a beaked whale skull dated to 5.3 million years ago and a new species named Pterocetus diamantinae.
Scientific Significance
Dr. Giovanni Bianucci, co-author of the study from the University of Pisa, emphasized the importance of the find: "This discovery demonstrates that these extreme and unexplored environments are home to species and ecosystems still unknown to science, and that we are therefore still far from understanding the true biodiversity of our planet." He noted that the study provides unique insights into elusive creatures like beaked whales.
Stephen J. Godfrey of the Calvert Marine Museum described the graveyard as "a truly unique discovery" that could yield many more exciting finds, comparing it to a trailer for an epic movie series.
Ecosystem and Biodiversity
The decaying whale carcasses host a diverse array of life, including crustaceans, molluscs, bone-eating worms, and brittle stars. Many of these species may be new to science. The whale falls form a "whale-fall community supercorridor" stretching 1,200 kilometers along a northwest-southeast axis.
Jon Copley, professor of ocean exploration at the University of Southampton, called it "an exciting and rare discovery," noting that whale falls are island-like habitats for deep-sea animals. He expressed surprise at finding nearly 800 skeletons per square kilometer, calling the mix of whale types a puzzle.
"As the researchers suggest, such a necropolis probably results from being on a migration route for filter-feeding species, while also a good place for the hunter species to dive deep for squid, but perhaps pushing them perilously close to their limits as they dive into this crack in the ocean floor," Copley added.
