Entries Tagged 'Antarctica' ↓

The Economist has a great article about the recently completed Amundsen-Scott research station. The station is America’s main research station in Antarctica.
Permanent buildings in Antarctica have a tendency to become unusable after a short period of time. The reason is snow buildup. Any permanent structure is slowly buried under snow drifts as the years go by. The latest structure was built on steel pilings and was specifically designed to channel winds under the building to keep snow from accumulating as quickly. It can also raise itself off the ground on hydraulic lifts, once the snow begins to accumulate.

Economist: Snow place like home
Also, check out the Wikipedia page on the station and it’s history: Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station

Found this amazing photo essay of marine life living under the Antarctic Ice flows. The photographer, Norbert Wu, worked in Antarctica from 1982 to 1996. He took these off of the coast of Antarctica in partnership with the U.S. National Science Foundation. The photos in the slide show and more are available in his book, Under Antarctic Ice.
Check out the slide show at Time magazine: Life Beneath Antarctic Ice

If you want more photos of Antarctica, check out Dry Valleys of Antarctica

Found an incredible slide show of pictures taken in the “Dry Valleys” area of Antarctica. The picture above is of one of the clearest frozen lakes in the world. Most of these valleys get very little snow fall, but almost all of them have significant ice in them. So I’m not sure how “dry” they are, but I guess that in comparison to other areas of Antarctica they seem dry. You can read all about the dry valleys here.
You should also check out the slide show Washington post: Exploring Antarctica The slide show has some truly amazing pictures, as well as captions and brief descriptions.

The photographer who took the pictures also has a website here.