When we think of Antarctica, we think of unending ice sheets and also cute-looking penguins. It’s difficult to imagine anything other. Antarctica is a barren wasteland with little vegetation and few animals. Can we even envision dinosaurs moving around in Antarctica amid massive forest fires? And what about volcanic activity?
But it appears that this was a thing on the frozen continent 75 million years ago.
Between 66 to 100 million years ago, Earth experienced one of its warmest periods. This meant there was plenty of room for vegetation to flourish. Forest fires resulted as a result of this. And it was during this time that the gigantic dinosaurs ruled the world ecology.
In Antarctica, scientists discovered indications of a forest fire. A multinational team of researchers led by the Federal University of Pernambuco in Brazil discovered fossils from huge forest fires that occurred in the ancient past.
The team spent 2015-16 on Antarctica’s James Ross Island, where they discovered fossils with charcoal-like residue, indicating forest fires.
Six years ago, a proposal was proposed that Antarctica had periodic forest fires. A piece of support for this notion was the discovery of fossils containing charcoal residue.
What caused the wildfires to erupt?
Scientists proposed another surprise rationale. They believe that, among other things, volcanic activity (on Antarctica!) is likewise to blame for the regular forest fires.
Earth is a strange planet, to say the least!