Antarctica’s First Amber Discovery Reveals Ancient Rainforest

Breaking the ice on prehistoric secrets, researchers unearthed Antarctica's first amber—'Pine Island amber'—from a 2017 RV Polarstern Expedition. This 1mm fossilized resin, dating to the mid-Cretaceous (83-92 million years ago), hints at lush, swampy rainforests near the South Pole. Found in the Amundsen Sea using the MARUM-MeBo70 drill, the discovery sheds light on resilient coniferous ecosystems enduring ancient wildfires and darkness. A warm revelation in Antarctica's icy history!