Discovery of the world's deepest and largest whale graveyard in the Indian Ocean
Consensus Summary
Scientists have discovered the deepest and most extensive whale graveyard ever found in the Diamantina fracture zone of the south-eastern Indian Ocean, located at depths of up to 7,002 metres. The site spans 1,200 kilometres and contains 485 whale-fossil sites along with five modern whale falls, revealing a rich ecosystem of marine life thriving on the decaying carcasses. Researchers identified a new extinct species of beaked whale, *Pterocetus diamantinae*, along with fossils dating back 5.3 million years, including remains of *Pterocetus benguelae*. The discovery, published in *Nature* on June 10, 2026, was made by an international team using the submersible *Fendouzhe* during the Global Trench Exploration and Diving Program. The graveyard’s formation is hypothesized to be linked to whale migration routes and deep-diving behaviour, with the area acting as a natural trap for carcasses. The findings highlight the biodiversity of extreme deep-sea environments and provide insights into cetacean evolution over millions of years.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The whale graveyard was discovered in the Diamantina fracture zone, south-eastern Indian Ocean, at depths of up to 7,002 metres (4.35 miles).
- Researchers found 485 whale-fossil sites (ABC reports 476) and five modern natural whale falls in an advanced stage of decomposition.
- The graveyard extends along a northwest-southeast axis for 1,200 kilometres (746 miles) across the sea floor.
- The study identified a new extinct species of beaked whale named *Pterocetus diamantinae*, with fossils dating back 5.3 million years.
- The research was published in the journal *Nature* on June 10, 2026, by a team from China, Italy, and New Zealand.
- The discovery includes fossils of extinct beaked whales, including *Pterocetus benguelae*, and modern whale falls teeming with life such as crustaceans, molluscs, bone-eating worms, and brittle stars.
- The expedition used a submersible vehicle, *Fendouzhe*, capable of reaching depths of 11,000 metres, to explore the site.
- The whale graveyard is located in international waters approximately 1,600 kilometres west of Australia.
- The discovery was made during the Global Trench Exploration and Diving Program, a collaborative effort involving China’s Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering (IDSSE) and New Zealand.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The research vessel *Tan Suo Yi Hao* was used for the expedition in March 2023.
- The whale graveyard was first discovered in a geological feature called *Dordrecht Deep*.
- The study was authored by marine biodiversity researcher *Xikun Song* from IDSSE.
- The whale falls were found at depths ranging from 4,200m to 7,002m.
- The fossilised maxilla of *Pterocetus diamantinae* was collected and analysed by palaeontologist *Giovanni Bianucci* from the University of Pisa.
- The whale graveyard includes a fossil of a baleen whale (*Balaenoptera borealis*).
- The Diamantina Zone is one of the major hadal trenches in the Indian Ocean, located between 6,000m and 11,000m deep.
- Dr *Giovanni Bianucci* from the University of Pisa described the discovery as demonstrating that extreme environments are home to unknown species and ecosystems.
- The largest carcass discovered was a five-metre-long skeleton of an Antarctic minke whale.
- The team conducted 32 dives to the sea floor, finding the whale-fossil sites.
- The whale graveyard was described as a 'whale-fall community supercorridor' by the researchers.
- Jon Copley, a professor of ocean exploration at the University of Southampton, called it a 'truly unique discovery' and noted the mix of whale types as a puzzle.
- The study suggests the graveyard formed due to a migration route for filter-feeding species and a deep-diving hunting ground for beaked whales.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC reports 476 cetacean fossils were documented, while the Guardian reports 485 whale-fossil sites were found.
- The Guardian states the discovery was made in 2026, but the ABC notes the expedition occurred in March 2023, with the study published in June 2026.
- The Guardian mentions 32 dives were conducted, while the ABC states 33 dives were conducted with the submersible *Fendouzhe*.
Source Articles
Deepest and most extensive whale graveyard discovered in Indian Ocean
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
World's biggest whale graveyard found in Indian Ocean off Australia
Hundreds of whale fossils, including those from extinct species new to science, range in age from recent to five million years old and are also home to undescribed deep-sea creatures.