A gigantic hole approximately as large as the US state of Maine has reportedly opened up in Antarctica. Scientists naturally don’t know why it opened up (unless we aren’t supposed to know).

The anomaly is reportedly 23,000 square miles (60,000 square kilometers) large, but at its largest about 31,000 square miles (80,000 square kilometers).

It is classified as a “polynya,” defined as “an area of open water surrounded by sea ice” by Wikipedia. Its early name was “полынья.”

The polynya was discovered by Princeton University’s Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modelling (SOCCOM) group.

According to IFL Science:

“The region is essentially ice-free and may be the result of natural climate changes. However, its formation is not really understood. Actually mounting expeditions here is tough, too, but scientists hope that robotic floats (small submersible objects, like mini-submarines) could tell us more.

The polynya is expected to continue releasing heat and sinking water until the warm spring air brings it to a halt. Until then, it will continue to be studied in earnest to learn more about this enigmatic phenomena.”

Outlets such as VICE’ Motherboard that reported on the topic and IFL Science push the climate change narrative as a preliminary question asking why this Antarctica phenomena exists. Yet they neglect to factor in geoengineering, one of the most important and under-reported factors in anomalous weather. For some perspective on that, this documentary is perfect.

For those who want to dig into all the facts about Antarctica far outside the realm of what is generally said about it by the mainstream, this is an extremely entertaining documentary.

Perhaps the best way to respond to a fascinating polynya is just to enjoy it and move on. Is life flowing as organically as it should when people have to quantify and try to dominate every detail of the environment?

(Image credit: EarthnWorld, IFL Science)