Russian drilling machine 5-G in Antarctica / / Credit: AFP and AP
After more than two decades exploring the basement of Antarctic, Russian scientists have come to the surface of a giant freshwater lake buried under miles of ice. The water was untouched for about 20 million years, meaning that he was isolated from artificial pollutants and terrestrial life forms that existed long before man.
Scientists able to capture a sample of 40 liters of water, which has already been sent for analysis. The next step is to remove water and other samples of ice located above the lake.
"It's like exploring another planet. No other place on Earth that is in complete isolation for so long. It is a true encounter with the unknown, "he said in a statement, Lev Savatyugin, a researcher at the Arctic Research Institute (AARI).
Toast with the traditional Russian vodka after the discovery / / Credit: Reuters via dailymail.com
The drilling of the area is conducted by the Russian Vostok Station and began operating in 1989. From its inception until now, crept slowly due to scarcity of funds, unavailability of equipment, environmental concerns and severe cold.
While the above surface thermometers measuring -89 ° C, the pond water is maintained heated by the pressure above the icing has geothermal energy and also by the Earth.
Although this is not the deepest lake in the world, the harsh climate of Antarctica and isolation of the local operating procedures to make these very difficult. The scientific community believes that a discovery like this could help explain what life was like on Earth before the appearance of man.
Source Galileu.
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