Unseen mountains, valleys, lakes, and rivers lie under Antarctica’s mile-thick ice sheet. Changes to those hidden rivers could have dramatic global consequences.

Antarctica’s total ice volume is now estimated at 27.17 million cubic kilometers (6.52 million cubic miles). The ice sheet covers an area of 13.63 million square kilometers (5.26 million square miles), with an average thickness of 1,948 meters (6,391 feet).

Bedmap3 has revealed hidden wonders under the icy surface of the Earth’s southernmost continent. From deep valleys to towering mountains, most of which were earlier obscured, are now seen with unprecedented precision. For scientists, the map reveals critical lines where ice meets the ocean, offering deep insights into the layout of the continent.