A 5.3M-year-old deep-sea whale necropolis in the Diamantina Zone

Scientists have discovered a 5.3 million-year-old whale necropolis in the Diamantina Zone, an area of the ocean floor in the South Atlantic. The site contains the remains of at least 299 ancient whales, including 15% of the total number of fossils found. The discovery was made using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) equipped with a high-resolution camera and a manipulator arm. The ROV collected fossilized whale bones, including skulls, vertebrae, and ribs, which will be analyzed to learn more about the evolution of whales. The Diamantina Zone is a unique environment with a unique combination of deep-sea conditions, including low oxygen levels and high pressure, which has preserved the fossils in remarkable detail. The discovery provides new insights into the evolution of whales and the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems.