Scientists are keen to study Antarctica's subglacial hydrological systems because liquid water beneath the ice sheet will influence its movement (the ice above Lake Whillans is moving at about 300m per year).

BBC: Drill reaches Antarctica's under-ice Lake Whillans

There are two other project teams working on looking at subglacial environments in Antarctica, and when all the projects are complete, it should provide a fascinating look at whether life can survive in such extreme conditions.

FORBES: Russian Scientists Successfully Drill To Subglacial Antarctic Lake Vostok