Beneath the ice of Antarctica lies a significant gravitational anomaly known as the Antarctic Geoid Low, where gravity is slightly weaker due to the distribution of mass within the planet. A recent study led by researchers at the University of Florida has reconstructed the evolution of this anomaly over the past 70 million years, revealing that it is a persistent feature that has changed in intensity and shape as a result of large reorganizations of rock flow in the Earth's mantle.

The study, published in December 2025 in the journal Scientific Reports, provides insights into the deep movements of the Earth that have taken place over millions of years. Alessandro Forte, a geophysics professor and co-author of the study, stated that this anomaly acts as a window into the deep processes occurring beneath the Earth's surface, which can reshape the planet's gravitational field in surprising and measurable ways today.

This newfound understanding of the Antarctic Geoid Low not only enriches our knowledge of Earth’s geological history but also highlights the intricate relationship between surface features and deep-Earth dynamics. It especially underscores the importance of studying such gravitational anomalies to comprehend past geological events and possibly predict future changes.