About 34 million years ago, Antarctica (the white continent) began to undergo a dramatic transformation that led to the formation of the oldest and largest ice sheet on Earth. This occurred at a time when the planet was much warmer than it is today, and the North Pole was still ice-free.

Scientists have long believed that the drop in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels was the main reason for the South Pole freezing over. It cooled the planet enough to form ice. But this hypothesis left an intriguing question: why did Antarctica freeze over alone, while it took millions of years longer for the North Pole to become icy?

A new study published in Science proposes a different explanation. It suggests that deep geological movements and the rise of the continent's surface played a crucial role in the birth of this giant ice mass.

According to researchers, the story began tens of millions of years ago when Antarctica separated from Africa during the breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana. This caused deep disturbances in the Earth’s mantle. These disturbances released what are known as “mantle plumes,” which are slow currents beneath the surface that contributed to raising parts of East Antarctica.

Over millions of years, vast areas of the continent rose by about 1.5 to two kilometers, forming plateaus and mountain ranges, including the Gamburtsev Mountains, now buried under more than a kilometer of ice.

This rise played a key role in the drop in temperatures, as air temperature decreases significantly with increasing altitude, making conditions suitable for snow to accumulate and gradually transform into permanent ice cover.

Researchers explained that the terrain was not just a secondary factor but a key element in initiating the freezing process. The new highlands helped provide a cold environment that allowed the ice to remain throughout the year.

The study reveals that Earth's climate history is not only linked to atmospheric changes, but also influenced by continental movements and deep geological processes. Rocks and mountains that appear static to humans can reshape the planet's climate over millions of years.

These findings are a new example of the deep interconnection between the Earth's geology, climate, and evolution of life, as slow movement beneath the surface of the planet can determine the fate of entire ecosystems over time.