An ancient river untouched for 14 million years faces the threat of climate change. 

International researchers have uncovered a pristine, ancient river-carved landscape concealed beneath the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. 

This remarkable discovery has remained undisturbed for 14 million years, but the spectre of climate change now looms over this long-frozen landscape.

The research team used satellite technology and radar to peer into the subglacial terrain, revealing hills and valleys sculpted by ancient rivers and shaped by glacial activity before becoming preserved beneath the ice. 

The preserved landscapes offer an invaluable window into past ice conditions. Yet, rising temperatures are steering the world towards a reversion to the climate conditions that prevailed when this landscape was first encased in ice. 

Experts say it is conceivable that the East Antarctic Ice Sheet may recede sufficiently to alter this terrain for the first time in 14 million years.

As the Earth's climate rapidly transforms, it appears to be hurtling back to temperature levels reminiscent of 34-14 million years ago, marked by temperatures 3-7°C higher than today. 

Understanding the Antarctic Ice Sheet's historical changes offers vital insights into how it might respond to ongoing climate change. 

This is significant since the ice sheet contains the potential for roughly 60 metres of sea level rise. Ice-penetrating radar permits the exploration of the sub-ice landscape and sheds light on the ice sheet's evolution prior to the satellite era.

The team, led by Stewart Jamieson, conducted their analysis using satellites and radar on the Aurora-Schmidt basins located inland of the Denman and Totten glaciers under the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. 

Their findings unveiled a landscape comprising three river-carved upland blocks, separated by deep troughs, situated a mere 350 kilometres from the ice sheet's edge. 

These features were formed prior to glaciation, during a period when rivers coursed through the region toward a coastline that had emerged during the Gondwana supercontinent breakup. 

The fracturing of Gondwana also gave rise to valleys between the upland blocks before they were blanketed by ice. 

Remarkably, the ice covering the region remained relatively stable for millions of years, even during intervening warm periods.

The authors caution that climate warming may usher in a retreat of the ice into this region, marking the first alteration of this ancient landscape in at least 14 million years. 

More details are accessible here.