Under an Antarctic ice sheet, the world's largest canyon?

Source: Christian Science Monitor

Under an Antarctic ice sheet, the world's largest canyon?

Scientists discover a chasm that may dwarf the Grand Canyon

By Michael D. Regan, Staff JANUARY 14, 2016

Scientists say they may have discovered the world’s largest canyon, concealed under a vast Antarctic ice sheet.

A team of researchers led by Britain’s Durham University made the discovery using satellite data, which has shown hints of the canyon. Smaller sections of the chasm were also identified using radio-echo sounding technology, which sent radio waves through the ice to map the canyon’s shape in a remote section of the British Antarctic territory, the university said.

When combined, the data showed “very large features” stretching from the sparsely studied interior of Princess Elizabeth Land to the coast near Vestfold Hills and the West Ice Shelf.

The study appears in the current issue of the scientific journal Geology.

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Read more: http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0114/Under-an-Antarctic-ice-sheet-the-world-s-largest-canyon

Related: An extensive subglacial lake and canyon system in Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica (Geology)