Scientists have discovered the largest and oldest whale graveyard in the southeastern Indian Ocean, spanning hundreds of kilometers.
The discovery, made by researchers from China, Italy, and New Zealand, was published in Nature journal.
Some remains are over 5 million years old, making it the oldest known graveyard. It lies at a depth of over 7 kilometers.
Using underwater equipment, scientists studied the Diamantina tectonic fracture zone, where they found the graveyard.
Findings include remains of the extinct Pterocetus benguelae. A new species, Pterocetus diamantinae, was named after the zone. Over 470 whale remains were found.
