Sino-British Research Team Unveils Comprehensive Catalog of 207 Subglacial Volcanoes Beneath Antarctica

A pioneering international research initiative, spearheaded by Chinese scientists, has culminated in the publication of the first exhaustive inventory of 207 subglacial volcanoes buried beneath the Antarctic ice sheet. Formally designated as ANT-SGV-25, the catalog was officially released on February 1, 2026, by a collaborative team representing the People's Republic of China and the United Kingdom. This landmark document is being hailed as a cornerstone resource for future global scientific inquiries into the frozen continent's geological and environmental evolution.

The Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC), headquartered in Shanghai and operating under the Ministry of Natural Resources, served as the primary Chinese institution for this ambitious project. The PRIC is a major player in polar logistics, overseeing six research stations—five of which are situated in Antarctica—and managing the operations of the advanced icebreakers Xuelong and Xuelong 2. This joint venture underscores a long-standing history of scientific partnership between China and the United Kingdom in polar exploration, maintaining a steady trajectory of cooperation even during periods of diplomatic complexity.

Understanding the environment where these volcanoes reside is essential, as the Antarctic ice sheet maintains an average thickness of approximately 2,160 meters, reaching a staggering maximum depth of 4,757 meters in the Wilkes Land region. These subglacial volcanic structures are far from dormant relics; they play a pivotal role in modulating basal ice melt and regulating subglacial hydrological activity. Such processes are critical to the stability of ice flows, a fact previously highlighted by British researchers who documented geothermal heat impacts significant enough to cause ice subsidence across an area double the size of London.

The 207 identified volcanic features are not distributed uniformly across the continent. Instead, they are primarily concentrated within the West Antarctic Rift System, a region characterized by significantly elevated geothermal heat flow. These geological formations are massive in scale, with some reaching heights of 4,181 meters and possessing volumes as large as 2,800 cubic kilometers. These findings offer a window into the region's dramatic history; geological evidence suggests that West Antarctica once enjoyed a temperate climate with average temperatures reaching 10 °C, supporting lush, broadleaf forests.

Modern research into these subglacial processes is vital because of the discovery of a vast system of circulating groundwater beneath the West Antarctic ice sheet. This subterranean water network effectively serves as a lubricant between the ice and the underlying bedrock, exerting significant control over the dynamics of the ice sheet's movement. Furthermore, the discharge of fresh meltwater into the surrounding Southern Ocean has the potential to disrupt oceanic currents and alter fragile marine ecosystems, making the study of volcanic and hydrological interactions a priority for predictive climate modeling.

Since launching its Antarctic research program in 1984, China has consistently expanded its involvement in international scientific dialogues to bolster its standing in a region that holds roughly 89% of the world's fresh water reserves. The development and release of the ANT-SGV-25 catalog represent a strategic component of China’s broader mission to enhance its presence in polar research. By fostering international collaboration, the nation aims to contribute more profoundly to the global understanding of Antarctica's role in the Earth's climate system.

The collaboration between the PRIC and British scientific bodies highlights the necessity of multi-national efforts in mapping the most inaccessible parts of our planet. As the ANT-SGV-25 catalog becomes a standard reference for glaciologists and geologists alike, it provides the empirical data needed to assess the risks of volcanic eruptions beneath the ice. Such events could trigger rapid melting events, further complicating global sea-level rise projections and emphasizing the urgency of the work conducted by this Sino-British partnership.