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Scientists Find Largest Whale Fossil Site, Name New Species

6/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Scientists from China, Italy and New Zealand discovered the world’s largest whale-fossil site on the deep Indian Ocean floor west of Australia.
The site lies at depths exceeding four miles and contains fossils older than five million years.
Researchers completed 32 dives, sampled 485 fossil locations and named a new species Pterocetus diamantinae.
They also recorded jellyfish, worms, snails, crustaceans, brittle stars and bivalve molluscs, revealing a vibrant deep-sea ecosystem.

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Story summary

Scientists from China, Italy and New Zealand discovered the world’s largest whale-fossil site on the deep Indian Ocean floor west of Australia.
The site lies at depths exceeding four miles and contains fossils older than five million years.
Researchers completed 32 dives, sampled 485 fossil locations and named a new species Pterocetus diamantinae.
They also recorded jellyfish, worms, snails, crustaceans, brittle stars and bivalve molluscs, revealing a vibrant deep-sea ecosystem.