Tue May 13 03:30:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
A new study published in *Earth and Planetary Science Letters* sheds light on the formation and preservation of the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains in Antarctica, a range buried beneath kilometers of ice. The research, based on the analysis of zircon grains found in ancient sandstones, suggests these mountains formed over 500 million years ago during the formation of the supercontinent Gondwana. The collision of tectonic plates triggered the mountain’s rise, followed by a period of collapse and crustal melting. Their preservation is attributed to being buried under ice, making them one of the best-preserved ancient mountain belts. The study provides insights into mountain and continent evolution and offers guidance for future Antarctic exploration.
**News Article:**
**Hidden ‘Alps’ of Antarctica Formed During Gondwana’s Birth, Study Reveals**
*May 13, 2025* – Beneath the icy expanse of East Antarctica lies a secret: a mountain range comparable in scale and shape to the European Alps. Known as the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains, this hidden terrain formed over half a billion years ago during the tumultuous assembly of the supercontinent Gondwana, according to a new study published in *Earth and Planetary Science Letters*.
Researchers from the University of Tasmania and Macquarie University, Australia, analyzed zircon grains from ancient sandstones to piece together the history of these buried peaks. The analysis revealed that the Gamburtsev Mountains began to rise around 650 million years ago as tectonic plates collided to form Gondwana, which included present-day Africa, South America, Australia, India, and Antarctica. By 580 million years ago, they had reached Himalayan heights.
“Our research suggests that the colossal clash of continents triggered the flow of hot, partly molten rock deep beneath the mountains,” explained Dr. Jacqueline Halpin, associate professor of geology at the University of Tasmania, and one of the researchers in the study. Following their formation, the mountains partially collapsed due to gravitational spreading, preserving a thick crustal “root.”
Discovered in 1958 by a Soviet expedition, the Gamburtsev Mountains remain one of Earth’s least understood tectonic features due to their complete ice cover. Unlike the Himalayas, which continue to rise, the Gamburtsev Mountains are ancient and well-preserved. “Because they’ve been preserved by a deep layer of ice, the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains are one of the best-preserved ancient mountain belts on Earth,” said Nathan R. Daczko, professor of earth science at Macquarie University, and the other researcher in the study.
The findings offer valuable insights into mountain formation and continent evolution, and provide guidance for future exploration of the continent. The research highlights the geological surprises that Antarctica still holds, promising further discoveries beneath its icy veil. Recent fieldwork has uncovered rocks on East Antarctica’s coast that may be related to these ancient mountains.
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