Robot Searching for Endurance Wreck Uncovers Bizarre Underwater Structures
The icy depths of the Weddell Sea have long concealed secrets of Antarctica. In 2019, an expedition aimed to locate the legendary wreck of Ernest Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance, which was lost in 1915.
Although the crew did not immediately discover the ship, their underwater robot, nicknamed “Lassie,” returned with remarkable footage showing mysterious structures scattered across the seabed—formations that have puzzled scientists for years.
Discovery of Unusual Formations
Six years after the expedition, researchers have finally identified the nature of these formations. A study published in Frontiers in Marine Science (R.B. Connelly et al., 2025) reveals that the seabed in this remote region contains over a thousand circular depressions.
- Each pit is unusually clean, featuring sandy interiors free from the plankton debris covering the surrounding sediments.
- This creates a strikingly geometric underwater landscape, unlike typical Antarctic seafloors.
Variations in Structure
Initial images from “Lassie” display a remarkable diversity of these crevices:
- Some appear solitary.
- Others curve gently in lines.
- Some cluster densely together.
The contrast between the pristine pits and the surrounding vegetative debris is dramatic, immediately catching the attention of marine biologists.
The unique pattern and cleanliness of these pits highlight a geological mystery within the Antarctic seabed.
Author’s Summary
The unexpected discovery of over a thousand pristine circular pits in the Antarctic seabed reveals a unique geometric pattern, sparking new questions about underwater geology and biology.