Largest Whale Graveyard Found 7,000 Meters Deep in Indian Ocean
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Scientists discovered the largest whale graveyard to date in the deep Indian Ocean at a depth of 7,000 meters.
- This site contains fossils of whales from 5 million years ago, alongside more recently deceased individuals.
- The discovery provides an unprecedented look into whale evolution and deep-sea ecosystems.
An extraordinary discovery has been made in the depths of the Indian Ocean, where researchers have identified the largest whale graveyard ever found. Located at a staggering depth of 7,000 meters, this deep-sea site represents a unique window into the past, housing remains from various eras.
The graveyard contains not only the carcasses of recently deceased whales but also fossils dating back as far as 5 million years. This remarkable collection includes specimens from extinct whale species, offering an unparalleled glimpse into the evolutionary history of these marine mammals. Scientists liken the find to an immense cemetery encompassing individuals from early hominids to modern humans.
The research team from the Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IDSSE) made this significant finding. The sheer scale and depth of the site make it the most extensive and deepest whale graveyard documented to date. Its preservation conditions are expected to yield invaluable data for understanding whale evolution and the dynamics of deep-sea ecosystems over millions of years.
Originally published by Chosun Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.