Dana Taylor

Life as we know it has changed. On a recent expedition to Antarctica, researchers made a startling discovery after part of a huge ice sheet broke off, revealing waters long hidden beneath. In it, the scientists encountered what appear to be new species of crustaceans, fish, and other life forms. Hello, and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Sunday, April 13, 2025.

Life as we know it has changed. On a recent expedition to Antarctica, researchers made a startling discovery after part of a huge ice sheet broke off, revealing waters long hidden beneath. In it, the scientists encountered what appear to be new species of crustaceans, fish, and other life forms. Hello, and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Sunday, April 13, 2025.

How is this possible? And just how many more new life forms are waiting to be discovered? Here to shed light on this incredible new development is Jyotika Vermani, head of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to global marine research that partially funded this work. Thanks for joining me, Jyotika.

How is this possible? And just how many more new life forms are waiting to be discovered? Here to shed light on this incredible new development is Jyotika Vermani, head of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to global marine research that partially funded this work. Thanks for joining me, Jyotika.

The team in Antarctica was researching something else altogether just prior to a Hemden iceberg cracking off the ice sheet. Walk me through the pivot here. Was there any hesitancy about switching their focus to this newly exposed body of water?

The team in Antarctica was researching something else altogether just prior to a Hemden iceberg cracking off the ice sheet. Walk me through the pivot here. Was there any hesitancy about switching their focus to this newly exposed body of water?

The researchers discovered new and diverse ecosystems that had long been flourishing beneath the ice, but that the scientific world was wholly unaware of. What to you was the single most surprising find?

The researchers discovered new and diverse ecosystems that had long been flourishing beneath the ice, but that the scientific world was wholly unaware of. What to you was the single most surprising find?

Are we talking about all new species here and how might this knowledge impact the scientific community?

Are we talking about all new species here and how might this knowledge impact the scientific community?

Prior to the iceberg calving, and you discussed this, but I want to circle back to how far below the surface these life forms were. And if it is in any way clear how these species have been able to thrive beneath the ice, does the early research tell you anything?

Prior to the iceberg calving, and you discussed this, but I want to circle back to how far below the surface these life forms were. And if it is in any way clear how these species have been able to thrive beneath the ice, does the early research tell you anything?

Well, this is a dazzling discovery. It was unfortunately made possible likely due to climate change. What might future research teach us on that front?

Well, this is a dazzling discovery. It was unfortunately made possible likely due to climate change. What might future research teach us on that front?

And are you concerned about the speed at which some of these species may have to acclimate to surface exposure or can they perhaps move beneath another part of the ice sheet?

And are you concerned about the speed at which some of these species may have to acclimate to surface exposure or can they perhaps move beneath another part of the ice sheet?

What can you share about the tech that made this discovery possible? How did the team do it?

What can you share about the tech that made this discovery possible? How did the team do it?

I know that in your work you focused on mapping the ocean floor. Roughly how much has been mapped and why is mapping important?

I know that in your work you focused on mapping the ocean floor. Roughly how much has been mapped and why is mapping important?