Scientists who processed the information obtained in 2013 from the "lost" GOCE probe managed to obtain very interesting facts. By combining data from it and the Gravity Field satellite, they managed to see the bottom of Antarctica - everything that is located under kilometer-long layers of ice. And the results exceeded expectations.
Patchwork continent
It turned out that under the thickness of the ice lies the continent, consisting of pieces of the former supercontinent of Gondwana. More than 100 million years ago, some parts of it began to move, and as a result - the current Antarctica - a continent, consisting of at least three parts. One is geologically very similar to India, the other to Australia.
Under the ice crust of Antarctica
Now it turns out that Antarctica is all that remains of the once huge Gondwana. Scientists will be able to trace the migration paths of these fragments, possible collision processes and the formation of mountain ranges and oceans.
The same studies will allow calculating possible changes due to the rapid melting of ice sheets on the planet. Melting ice changes the load on the plates at their locations. Plates can simply pop out from under the ice and change the entire landscape. And how it can end, nobody knows. And you need to be ready for this. At least theoretically.
Promotional video:
Valuable probe
Surprisingly, the data was obtained from a probe that burned up in the atmosphere in 2013. It ran out of fuel and changed its orbit to burn it in the dense layers of the atmosphere.
Its main purpose is to collect data on the gravitational components of the Earth. With its help, a 3D model of the planet has already been created - a geoid.
Now close attention is paid to these studies. They allow you to study the topography of the entire planet and obtain comprehensive data on this issue.