Ancient Fossils of Marine Predators Found Atop Arctic Mountain

In an expedition that rewrites the history of the Arctic, paleontologists from Russia, Canada, and Norway have uncovered exceptional fossils—giant marine predators, including ichthyosaurs and colossal squid—embedded high above today’s sea level.

A remote mountain previously thought barren revealed a layer of soft limestone laden with bones and cartilage up to 150 million years old. Among the finds: a nearly complete ichthyosaur skull with hundreds of razor-sharp teeth, along with tentacle prints from prehistoric cephalopods. These predators once dominated vast, warm polar seas during the Jurassic era.

Chemical analysis of fossilized bone points to rapid climate and sea-level shifts, offering new evidence for ancient migrations and extinctions. The site’s geology and fossil diversity imply epic journeys, as whole species moved northwards following warming cycles. Researchers believe this could shed light on the resilience of marine life, not only in the past but in the context of current global warming and its impact on cold-region ecosystems.

Scientific Importance

“Finding oceanic giants atop a polar mountain tells us not just about evolution, but how dramatic changes can transport entire worlds from tropics to tundra,” says lead paleontologist Olga Makarova[$$100$$].