Chinese scientists have discovered the world's largest whale graveyard at the bottom of the Indian Ocean, containing both new and ancient whale carcasses that support diverse deep-sea life. This site, the deepest and oldest known whale graveyard, has fossils dating back 5.3 million years. The discovery was made during 32 dives conducted by the Fendouzhe submersible in 2023, revealing nearly 500 skeletons along a 1,200-kilometer corridor at depths of up to 7,000 meters. The lead study author, Xiaotong Peng, noted the unexpected scale and age of the site, which is believed to be a significant foraging habitat for whales. The study estimates that there could be over 10 million whale carcasses in the area, known as the Diamantina Zone, which provides a substantial source of sustenance for various marine species. The findings suggest that whale falls may serve as important ecological hotspots in the deep ocean. The research was published in the journal Nature.
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Discovery of Largest Whale Graveyard in Indian Ocean
Chinese researchers have identified the largest whale graveyard in the Indian Ocean, containing fossils that date back 5.3 million years. The discovery, made during submersible dives, reveals nearly 500 skeletons and suggests there could be over 10 million carcasses in the area, providing critical sustenance for deep-sea ecosystems. The findings highlight the ecological significance of whale falls in the ocean.
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Xiaotong Peng
Peng Zhou
Xikun Song
Craig Smith
Amy Baco-Taylor
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World's largest whale graveyard discovered by sub at bottom of ocean...
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Discovery of Largest Whale Graveyard in Indian Ocean