Millions of fossil whale bones found in deep-ocean ‘necropolis’
Researchers diving 7 kilometres deep in a crewed submersible have discovered a vast collection of whale bones, including fossils up to 5 million years old and species new to science
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Newfound 'whale necropolis' reveals 5.3 million years of seafloor life
Whale falls form when whale carcasses sink to the seafloor, creating localized concentrations of biodiversity in the deep ocean. Besides playing a role in long-term carbon sequestration, whale falls help scientists understand the evolution and dispersal of deep-sea life, as well as provide an un...
A 5.3-million-year-old deep-sea whale necropolis in the Diamantina Zone
Nature, Published online: 10 June 2026; doi:10. 1038/s41586-026-10546-z Researchers uncovered an enormous deep-sea accumulation of whale remains in the southeastern Indian Ocean, showing long-term, specialized ecosystems and an extensive fossil record that offers new insight into deep-ocean biodi...
A vast whale necropolis has been found
Nature, Published online: 10 June 2026; doi:10. 1038/d41586-026-01581-x In the Indian Ocean, a deep-sea area roughly 1,200 kilometres long and 7 kilometres deep was found to harbour an ecological landmark site of whale remains.