A remarkable discovery has been made by Chinese scientists in the southern Indian Ocean: what appears to be the largest whale graveyard, dating back over five million years. This site, stretching for approximately 1,200 kilometers, contains nearly 500 whale skeletons, according to a study published in the journal Nature.
The researchers stated, “In this study, we report the discovery of an extensive whale necropolis within the Diamantina Zone, at depths ranging from 4,616 to 7,001 meters. This site extends for roughly 1,200 kilometers along the seafloor in the southeastern Indian Ocean. Within this area, we have found a deep and expansive accumulation of remains, comprising five distinct natural communities formed by whale falls and an inventory of 476 fossil cetaceans.”
Isotopic analysis of the findings has indicated that whale falls in this region began occurring at least 5.3 million years ago.
Furthermore, among the discovered skeletons, scientists have identified a new, albeit extinct, species of whale. Additionally, fauna previously unknown to science, which subsist on whale carcasses, have also been found.
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