Deepest and most extensive whale graveyard discovered in Indian Ocean

The Guardian UK Wednesday 10 June 2026, 15:00 UTC By Nicola Davis Science correspondent 1 min read

Key Points

Some remains found in Diamantina fracture zone date back more than 5m years and reveal species and ecosystems unknown to scienceThe oldest, deepest and most extensive whale graveyard yet discovered has been found in the south-eastern Indian Ocean, with fossils dating back more than 5m years. Whale falls – the term for dead whales that sink to the ocean floor – are not uncommon, but most have been found at depths of less than 4km (2.5 miles). By contrast, the newly discovered necropolis...

Some remains found in Diamantina fracture zone date back more than 5m years and reveal species and ecosystems unknown to science

The oldest, deepest and most extensive whale graveyard yet discovered has been found in the south-eastern Indian Ocean, with fossils dating back more than 5m years.

Whale falls – the term for dead whales that sink to the ocean floor – are not uncommon, but most have been found at depths of less than 4km (2.5 miles). By contrast, the newly discovered necropolis reaches depths of more than 7km, and extends hundreds of miles across the sea floor.

Indian Ocean (LOCATION) Diamantina (LOCATION)

Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

Either give us a simple squeezy bottle that actually works or bring back the tried-and-tested solid barsEven as I pick it off the shelf, I know it will let me down. I rate the chances of it working no better than 50/50. So why do I buy it, when the dead hand of impending disappointment taps so insistently on my shoulder?

The Guardian UK 59m ago

Toby Carvery to pay for orchard planting after causing outrage by felling 500-year-old oak

Restaurant chain took chainsaw to ancient oak tree in Enfield without permissionThe UK restaurant chain Toby Carvery has settled a legal dispute over taking a chainsaw to an ancient oak tree without permission, by agreeing to pay to restore a lost orchard. The unauthorised partial felling of the 500-year-old oak next to a Toby Carvery car park in Whitewebbs Park, Enfield, north London, in April last year, prompted widespread public outrage and questions in parliament.

The Guardian Environment 1h ago