Ancient Lake Vostok Reveals Life from 15 Million Years Ago

On 5 February 2012, a Russian drill team at Vostok Station in Antarctica found a hidden lake. This lake, called Lake Vostok, is very large and deep, sitting beneath thick ice for millions of years. When the drill reached the lake, water rushed up like a geyser and froze quickly.

Scientists later found DNA in the ice. This DNA came from tiny life forms that had lived in complete darkness for millions of years. Lake Vostok is located under the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, and the temperature above is extremely cold. The lake has been cut off from the outside world for about 15 million years.

Before the discovery, pilots saw a flat area of ice in the 1960s. In 1996, scientists used special tools to confirm the lake’s size and location. It is the largest of many lakes hidden under Antarctica.

The drilling process started in 1989. Scientists worked carefully to prevent contamination. When the drill finally broke into the lake, it brought small life forms to the surface. Researchers believe these findings can help us understand life in other places, like on moons in space.

How much do you know?

What is the name of the hidden lake discovered in Antarctica?

Lake Baikal

Lake Vostok

Lake Superior

Lake Titicaca

In which year did the Russian drill team discover Lake Vostok?

2005

2008

2010

2012

How long has Lake Vostok been cut off from the outside world?

1 million years

5 million years

10 million years

15 million years

What did scientists find in the ice of Lake Vostok?

Frozen fish

Ancient machinery

DNA from tiny life forms

Large mammals

When did the drilling process to reach Lake Vostok start?

1985

1989

1992

1996

Which ice sheet is Lake Vostok located under?

West Antarctic Ice Sheet

East Antarctic Ice Sheet

Greenland Ice Sheet

Canadian Ice Sheet

Lake Vostok is located under the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

True False

The drilling process started in 1989.

True False

Scientists were able to confirm the size of the lake in 1996.

True False

The lake's water rushed to the surface like a geyser when drilled into.

True False

Pilots discovered Lake Vostok in the 1970s.

True False

Lake Vostok has been isolated for about 15 million years.

True False

The Russian drill team discovered Lake Vostok on February 2012.

Lake Vostok is buried under the Antarctic Ice Sheet.

The drilling process began in to reach Lake Vostok.

Scientists found DNA in the of Lake Vostok.

Lake Vostok was situated beneath thick ice for years.

The small life forms brought to the surface can help us understand life on in space.

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