Scientists have discovered the world's largest whale graveyard in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Australia. The site, located in the Diamantina Fracture Zone, spans 1,200 kilometers and includes 476 cetacean fossils, five actively decomposing whales, and a newly identified extinct species of beaked whale dating back 5.3 million years. The findings, published in the journal Nature, reveal a thriving ecosystem of marine life, including jellyfish, worms, and crustaceans, many of which may be new to science.
The discovery was made during a Chinese-led research expedition in March 2023, using the research vessel Tan Suo Yi Hao. The team conducted 32 dives to the site, which sits up to 7 kilometers deep. Among the fossils found was the skull of an extinct beaked whale, Pterocetus benguelae, and a new species named Pterocetus diamantinae. The whale graveyard, or 'whale fall,' serves as a critical habitat for deep-sea organisms, providing a food source that supports diverse marine communities.
Researchers believe the site's unique geography, including a V-shaped trench, may have contributed to the accumulation of whale carcasses over millions of years. The fossils' preservation is attributed to their density, depth, and mineral coatings, which protect them from degradation. The discovery reshapes scientists' understanding of whale-fall ecosystems and offers insights into cetacean evolution over geological time.