Antarctica is far more than a frozen desert—it’s concealing one of the largest volcanic systems on Earth beneath its icy surface.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh have identified 138 buried volcanoes, including 91 never before known, forming a massive volcanic network beneath the continent’s thick ice sheet. Most of these structures are concentrated beneath West Antarctica, where the ice sheet rests on deep bedrock below sea level.

Unseen Scale and Global Implications

Some of these hidden giants soar up to 13,000 feet tall (about 4,000 meters), rivaling the Alps in scale, yet they remain completely entombed in ice. Using ice-penetrating radar, satellite data, and topographic mapping, scientists unveiled what may be the densest volcanic region ever discovered on Earth.

This finding is critical as it could reshape our understanding of Antarctica’s stability and its role in our planet’s climate future. Should any of these volcanoes become active, the heat energy released could melt the ice sheet from beneath, causing major instability to the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and potentially accelerating global sea-level rise.