Chinese scientists have discovered a vast whale graveyard on the floor of the Indian Ocean, believed to be the largest in the world. The graveyard, located off the west coast of Australia, spans nearly 1,200 kilometers and contains an estimated 50,000 whale carcasses, some dating back 5.3 million years.
The discovery was made using a small submersible and was published in the journal Nature. The researchers found both new and ancient whale remains, as well as numerous species of deep-sea creatures living on the whale carcasses.
The graveyard's size, depth, and age were beyond the researchers' expectations. They believe the area's deep 'V'-shaped trench and its status as a popular feeding ground for whales contributed to the high number of deaths.
The researchers estimate that the graveyard could contain over 10 million whale carcasses, mostly 'beaked whales.' The whale remains are believed to have trapped around 6.7 million tons of carbon in the ocean floor.
The discovery has been described as 'extremely exciting' and 'unprecedented' by marine biologists, who hope it will lead to further discoveries of similar graveyards around the world.
