Indian scientific expedition to the South Pole

Expedition to the South Pole a Milestone to Understand the Mystery of Antarctic Environment and its Implications on Climate Change


The first Indian scientific expedition to the South Pole is a milestone in our scientific endeavor to understand the mystery of Antarctic environment and its implications for the climate change. During an interaction with media here today, Dr Rasik Ravindra, Director, National Centre for Antarctic & Ocean Science and Team Leader of the expedition said to commemorate Amundsen’s historical expedition to South Pole 100 years ago and to mark thirty years of Indian presence in Antarctica, this scientific overland expedition was initiated to South Pole from Indian research base in Antarctica, `Maitri’. Giving details of the expedition Dr Ravindra said, “ The Expedition team left Maitri on 13th November 2010 for South Pole. The team used four specialized vehicles from Arctic Trucks customized specially for the rugged and crevassed Antarctic terrain. Each vehicle had carried a mechanic-cum-driver and a scientist, along with special gears, emergency medical kit, and frozen food, navigational and scientific instruments. A mid-way fuel dump at 83 degree South latitude was used for re-fuelling of trucks. After a tough and adventure filled 10-day journey over ice, the Expedition reached the South Pole on 22nd November 2010. We traversed a total distance of 4,400 km to South Pole and back. Withstanding many mechanical breakdowns requiring change of vital components, the team collected valuable data and snow /ice core samples throughout the journey.” Talking about their experiments, Dr Ravindra said, “ The science component of the expedition comprised raising ice cores at regular intervals along the Maitri-South Pole (Amundsen-Scot station) traverse for study of variability of snow accumulation and characteristics etc., short traverses by Ground Penetrating Radar along the South Pole route for understanding bed rock topography and sub surface-Ice structure, study of glacial- geomorphological landforms along the plateau and Collection of meteorological and related data along the long traverse.

Team members Shri M. Javed Beg-Scientist, National Centre for Antarctic & Ocean Research, Thamban Meloth- Scientist, National Centre for Antarctic & Ocean Research, Pradip Malhotra- Expedition Doctor, Central Government Health Scheme, Ajay Dhar- Scientist, Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, Ashit Swain- Geologist, Geological Survey of India, K. Krishnamoorthi- National Centre for Antarctic & Ocean Research and Surat Singh- National Centre for Antarctic & Ocean Research also shared their experiences.

The South Pole, also known as the Geographic South Pole is one of the two points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface. It is the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth and lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the North Pole. Situated on the continent of Antarctica, it is the site of the United States Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, which was established in 1956 and has been permanently staffed since that year.

The Amundsen–Scott South Pole Scientific Station named to honor Roald Amundsen whose Norwegian expedition reached the South Pole in December 1911, and Robert F. Scott whose British expedition reached the South Pole about one month later (in January 1912). All five men in Scott's expedition perished during the journey back towards the coast.

The Geographic South Pole is different than the Geomagnetic South Pole. The Geographic South Pole is located on the continent of Antarctica (although this has not been the case for all of Earth's history because of continental drift). It sits atop a featureless, windswept, icy plateau at an altitude of 2,835 meters (9,306 ft), about 1,300 km (800 mi) from the nearest sea at McMurdo Sound.

The polar ice sheet is moving at a rate of roughly 10 meters per year towards the Weddell Sea. Therefore, the position of the station and other artificial features relative to the geographic pole gradually shifts over time. The Geographic South Pole is marked by a sign and a stake in the ice pack, which are repositioned each year on New Year's Day to compensate for the movement of the ice. However, the Ceremonial South Pole is an area set aside for photo opportunities at the South Pole Station. It is located a short distance from the Geographic South Pole, and consists of a metallic sphere on a plinth, surrounded by the flags of the Antarctic Treaty signatory states.


***


KP/
(Release ID :68996)