Ancient soil reveals Antarctica was a lush rainforest 90 million years ago

Ninety million years ago, Antarctica was a lush rainforest, not the icy desert it is today. Researchers found ancient soil samples rich in plant life, indicating a temperate climate with average temperatures around 12 °C (54 °F). This discovery, made by scientists from Germany and the UK, reveals that even during months of darkness, diverse plant life thrived near the South Pole. The mid-Cretaceous period was the hottest in 140 million years, supporting various dinosaur species. Today, Antarctica has only two native plant species, but rising temperatures have led to an increase in non-native plants. Despite recent warming, the continent remains dominated by ice, making a return to rainforest unlikely in the near future.