Antarctica’s Hidden Landscape Mapped in Unprecedented Detail

A newly published scientific study has provided a detailed map of the terrain beneath Antarctica’s ice sheet, offering fresh insights into the continent’s subglacial features and their potential influence on ice flow and climate projections.

The research team used Ice Flow Perturbation Analysis (IFPA), which integrates satellite surface data, ice thickness measurements, and ice-flow physics, to create a comprehensive view of the bedrock hidden under the Antarctic ice.

The mapping effort was led by researchers from the University of Edinburgh and the University of Grenoble-Alpes, with financial support from the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council and the Evans Family Foundation. The results were published in the journal Science on 15 January 2026.

The new map identified a range of previously unknown or poorly resolved subglacial features, including deep valleys, hills, canyons, and buried river channels extending for hundreds of kilometers. The study also documented transitions resembling tectonic boundaries beneath the ice.

What the numbers show

• Approximately 71,997 hills were mapped across Antarctica
• The Maud Subglacial Basin contains a valley nearly 400 km long
• The mapping was published on 15 January 2026

This mapping initiative more than doubles the number of hills previously identified in Antarctica, providing a much more detailed understanding of the continent’s subglacial landscape. The map also fills gaps left by earlier radar surveys, which had left Antarctica as one of the least mapped planetary surfaces.

According to the researchers, the new data highlights the complexity and diversity of Antarctica’s subglacial terrain, which includes both smooth plains and rugged alpine-style topography. These findings are expected to be valuable for guiding future geophysical surveys in the region.

The improved mapping of bedrock topography is intended to enhance scientific understanding of how the land beneath the ice influences the movement of the ice sheet. This information will help refine projections of ice-sheet changes and sea-level rise in response to climate change.

The study’s authors stated that the findings will contribute to reducing uncertainty in climate models that predict ice loss and sea-level rise. The detailed map is expected to support ongoing and future research focused on Antarctic ice dynamics.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.