Origins of 'gravity hole' over Antarctica finally unveiled [View all]

Researchers found that shifting gravity patterns may have encouraged the growth of Antarctica’s huge ice sheets

Alex Croft
Tuesday 17 February 2026 18:40 GMT

Scientists have finally cracked the origins of a “gravity hole” beneath the continent of Antarctica - the part of Earth where gravity is weakest.

While gravity is often understood as consistent around the world, in reality, its strength varies significantly in different areas. Weaker gravity in Antarctica has a major impact on the oceans, causing water to flow towards areas of stronger gravity and leaving the continent’s sea level lower than it otherwise would be.

Gravity is weaker in the regions where hot rock from within the Earth’s mantle rises towards the surface - over millions of years, these slow rock movements deep under the Earth’s surface have led to the so-called “gravity hole” in Antarctica.

The study, which was published in the Scientific Reports journal, looked at how the changes in Antarctica’s gravity may have caused significant changes in the region’s climate. Researchers say it has laid the ground for future research into how shifting gravity patterns could have promoted the growth of the continent’s vast ice sheets.

More:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/antarctica-gravity-hole-origins-study-research-b2922189.html