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Two nautical charts are spread out on the nautical table. They showed these waters have yet to be surveyed. While concerned, the captain keeps us safe by setting a course over waters known to be safe because of depth soundings.This channel is new to him, though he’s sailed the Antarctic many, many times.

Dusk approaches and it begins to snow in earnest. It is hard to see. The windows on the bridge are soon covered in flakes, obscuring the floating barriers that fill the channel. Radar clearly shows them, even with our diminished eyesight. We can see large spots of orange, indicating icebergs, on the screen. Ahead, we can see a super-sized orange glob, filling the screen. We are three kilometers from it. You need to visit this site to learn about antarctica travel guide.

The captain finally issues a quiet order at one kilometer. With a flick of the wheel, the helmsman steers the ship away from the danger. A tabular iceberg shows itself through the fog and snow. This is a unique type of berg found only in the southern ocean. With sides that rise straight up for a hundred feet, and a flat and wide top, this is one impressive iceberg.

I can?t believe the very size of this Antarctic creation. We are heading to the Antarctic Circle in our polar class cruise vessel. We’d gone by areas that were terribly remote and removed from life.After being found in 1820, Antarctica waited another 79 years for a human to spend the winter there.Explorers were quick to search for the South Pole, but soon perished. Scientist came next. Coming to Antarctica used to be something only rich people could do. Now a trip to Antarctica cost about the same as one to the Caribbean.

Antarctica looks a little bit like a manta ray with a curved tail. The manta ray’s tail extends to within 500 miles of South America. This stretch of seas is called Drakes Passage and is notorious for its turbulent waters.Passing through these waters, which have also been called the ‘Slobbering Jaws of Hell’ is a stiff price to pay to reach Antarctica. One of the passengers told us all to stow everything and secure the latches on the cabin portholes before they went to bed. Learn about adventure antarctica tours.

Our ship left the Argentine port city of Ushuaia and passed through the Beagle Channel. Later we reached open ocean. We spent two days on very rough seas with no land in sight. Extremely strong winds constantly blew. As waves broke over the bow, ocean spray shot up beyond my fourth deck window. Depending on the level of your seasickness, you could see swells from 15 to 40 feet.

After two days sail from South America, we got to the Southern Ocean.The next morning, I could see a coastal archipelago. The seas seemed to have been calmed by the land. The peaks of extremely tall mountains were covered in misty clouds. The smooth, white glaciers showed stark contrast from the dark, angular mountains that stuck through them. Frozen slab ice entered the water. It was rough and bumpy, cracked and dirty. Looking like the mountains suddenly jumped from the ocean, they seem tall enough to be home to Mt. Everest or the like.

One passenger thought that childbirth?s labor was similar to our efforts to reach Antarctica. Like a naughty kid, Antarctica is the coldest, windiest, highest and driest of all the earth’s continents. Antarctica?s polar plateau gets the same amount of precipitation as Death Valley, but the continent holds 70 percent of all the freshwater we have on earth. This continent doesn’t have an indigenous human population, animals that call it home all year round, or even an owner.

Due to the rigorous weather and poor conditions, sailing routes, as well as shore landings are dictated by the weather.Our guides remind us that flexibility is key. Then our first landfall becomes available. We meet on deck in the groups we were assigned to be in. After the call for my group, I climb into an inflatable boat with nine other people. Land is a mere quarter mile from the ship. And with that last step, I join a small number of people who have actually stood on the Antarctic Continent.

After her latest trip, a visit to Antarctica, this ninety-one year old has now seen almost all there is to see on our planet. She saw Antarctica in person, not on television or in a magazine. Though she?d been in this area twice before, this was the first time she?d actually viewed Antarctica. According to our tourist, the plane never landed, but they certainly traveled over it.

Mountain peaks, glaciers and fjords were visible during her four hour flight. At one point they even descended to 300 feet above the ground. A mountain range they passed was fog covered. The flight had perfect weather; it was clear and the sun was shining. They traveled in mid march, which marks the end of Antarctica?s summer. The air temperatures were sub-zero. During the flight a naturalist lectured and served as tour guide. You’ll get further resources on cruises to antartica by visiting there.

A view of the penguins was one of this lady?s goals. Her daughter, also on the plane, saw a far-away colony through another window. She did not see any penguins on the flight. Near the coast of Argentina lies the Falkland Islands. They traveled via cruise ship to this point. Hundreds of Magellan penguins greeted her as she reached the East Island of the Falklands. This took another boat ride. Magellan penguins are the tallest you will find.

They flew over 16 hours from the United States to South America, where the cruise began. Their cruise ship visited many South American ports of call, and even asked passengers to enjoy a dip in the ship’s pool. Ignoring the air temperatures of 35 degrees, the ninety-one year old took to the water. She got a certificate for having done so.

They then docked in Chile, drove to Santiago, and flew to Rio. Perfect weather accompanied them for the three week cruise. The crisp night air afforded them views of the Southern Cross, a notoriously difficult constellation to see. You can get the best antarctic cruise reviews information by visiting this website.

Her last trip to South America brought her to the major river system and one large city. Seeing the loss of bird habitat in the area around the river is of great concern to our traveler. She has even been on Safari in Africa. She?d been to, too, so Antarctica was the last of the continents she needed to visit. She finally visited them all with her recent trip to Antarctica.

The tiny pink mite, measuring 1/100th of an inch in length, is the farthest southern living animal recorded. Fungi and algae are what the arachnid uses for its own sustenance.An entomologist from Hawaii recently discovered this mite only 309 miles from the South Pole. Lichens have been discovered within 266 miles of the Pole, as well. This is the closest any living organism has ever been found.

Insects and insect-type life forms are the only kind of animals that live year-round on Antarctica. You can’t see them by yourself, but with the help of microscopes and the like, 56 arthropod species have been located.One insect you could easily see is about the size of a common horsefly. It’s a wingless fly. When the temperature finally warms enough to melt water, thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit, they become awakened, and no longer hibernate. You will find info on Antarctic cruises by visiting that site.

The great blue whale and many diverse creatures make the waters around Antarctica their home. This is the opposite of life on land. At one point, scientist sought to observe the sea’s creatures by lowering a steel capsule under the ice. It measured six by four feet. Six windows gave the professionals a chance to look into the cold water. Sounds could be detected and recorded through a hydrophone that was placed on the exterior of the capsule.

One jelly fish swam by with tentacles trailing thirty feet behind it. They didn’t see many other fish. Curious and graceful seals frequented the waters around the capsule, using the hole to breathe and checking out the scientists. Scientists could hear them chirp, beep, buzz and whistle through the hydrophone. One scientist said this was the first time he’d ever heard this type of underwater din.

Scientists think the seals use these sounds to navigate and to speak with each other. It’s possible that the seals can find the food that’s often rare in the Antarctic through this sonar.Recordings of the various seal sounds can be investigated. Human ears can’t even hear all the sounds the seals make due to their rapid beat and high frequency. If you are in search of info don’t forget to view this resource best Antarctic cruise.

Just how the sounds are created is still a mystery. Both their nostrils and mouths are very tightly closed when the seals are underwater. The deepest a mammal has ever been recorded to dive is nearly 1500 feet; this was a Weddell seal. One seal was able to stay submerged for over 28 minutes. This is also a record. With a lot of time and care, it was possible for a zoologist to earn the trust of a mother seal and get a sample of the milk that the mother excretes.As mammals, baby seals gain weight faster than any other animals like them. This could be due to the fact that seal weight is far fattier than even human mother’s milk. Newborn seals can multiply their weight five times in just six weeks.

With special diving suits, the seas around Antarctica have been investigated by scientists. Colorful seaweeds, including red ones, filled the ocean’s bottom. Five foot long worms, four foot sponges and big red and white starfish were also there.

Prospecting for uranium in the Antarctic are two scientists. With regard to the cooperation among nations, this project becomes controversial because of its origin.Satisfying the purpose of international scientific research led to Antarctica being set aside in 1961. Such resources that are protected by frigid weather and a sinister cover of snow can be detrimental to the strain added to the model of international cooperation especially when there is the goal of increasing interest.

Summertime in the Antarctic does not last long and when they could and while the valleys had no snow the scientists and their West German colleagues decided that helicopter rides would be good to take allowing them a full view of the wondrous scenery of the continent. For the gentlemen, the helicopter rides were rather daunting. From the cliffs, the radioactivity detector they had should be within range. It is recommended that you visit this site for resources on Cruise To Antarctica.

It is a continent that is plentiful in uranium and valuable resources as well. The challenge comes with the location and exploitation of these resources with little doubt that these will reach practical levels after several years.

Harvesting krill is being studied by one Polish fleet, it is an inexpensive protein source resembling a shrimp and originates from the Weddell Sea. When Soviets were here they found high grade iron ore in a mountain. Americans then found ethane and methane in the Ross Sea in 1973 from their research vessel. Such traces are considered indicators of potential natural gas deposits and sometimes oil deposits.

About 45 billion barrels of oil and 115 trillion cubic feet of natural gas could be carried by Antarctica’s continental shelf according to the US Geological Survey. That is about eight times the yearly US oil consumption and six times the nation’s annual natural gas consumption. Under the support of the National Science Foundation this year, geologists will be surveying the Dufec Intrusive.Here is where mineral rich areas just like in South Africa are, as well as the bush veld which may be a source for chromium and platinum. If you’re looking to learn about Best Antarctic Cruise, visit their site for more details.

During the International Geophysical Year celebration, America prompted for an Antarctic treaty that a number of nations present then agreed upon. From not pursuing territorial claims to openly conducting scientific research, the nations also agreed to use the continent for nothing but peaceful purposes and to protect its environment and wildlife. To help out, the National Science Foundation administered American bases.

An issue pertaining to resource exploitation was seriously considered at the treaty nations meeting in Oslo. Before making changes, the decision must be unanimous. Another topic of concern pertains to other countries in the search for valuable resources. Advising towards maximizing the research possible from the continent’s resources are these scientists. When it comes to international cooperation everyone agrees with how serious of an issue resource development in the Antarctic could be.

The total continent of Antarctica, from its massive mountains to the seas replete with blue whales, emperor penguins and leopard seals, is, by means of international agreement, classified as a wilderness preserve.This pristine ecosystem has been protected from mining and oil drilling since 1998 and will stay protected for at least 50 years.It has been agreed that this continent be used for conservation and science, not for development.Very few things that would be a danger to the wildlife here are allowed. This means that everything from pesticides to dogs are banned.

The treaty is known as the Environmental Protection Protocol to the Antarctica Treaty.The nations around the world agreed to leave Antarctica free from commercial and industrial development.This agreement was signed in 1991 by the 26 leading nations with scientific interest in the land. Some of the most prominent nations in the agreement are the United States, Russia, China, India, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, and most of the primary European nations.To find great antarctica tours information see this resource.

The treaty stopped the arguing that was going on for more than 15 years about regulating the area.In addition to preventing all oil drilling and mining, the 35 scientific outposts on Antarctica are required to remove all garbage and clean up all dumps.Scientific stations and tourist ships are also not allowed to dump an raw sewage in to the Arctic waters.

When people like Roald Amundsen of Norway set out to discover parts of Antarctica, such as the South Pole in 1911, they had to use dogs to pull their sleds.Dogs are now banned by the agreement since some dogs have killed penguins and other birds of the region.Soil that has not been sterilized, polystyrene packaging materials, and pesticides are also banned in Antarctica.

The land of the Arctic is covered by ice that is on average 1 mile in thickness and only supports the most basic plant life, like moss and grass by shorelines. The ice is made up of 70 percent of the freshwater of the earth.Many kinds of sea life also live in or near Antarctica.If you want more comprehensive info on adventure antarctica tours that site will help you.

Antarctica is one of the most delicate locations on earth.Life grows very slowly at the continual below-zero temperature conditions.Many years will pass before any damage can be completely repaired.For instance, a footprint in a bed of moss may remain the same for 10 years.

The original Antarctic Treaty, executed in 1959, prohibited nuclear tests and any military maneuvers in the area.It also asserted that Antarctica was to be owned by no nations. The rules for research were also established at this time.While no country may possess Antarctica, literally every square inch of the land is claimed by some country or the other.

In the early 80s, after scientist discovered deposits of zinc, coal, manganese, uranium, copper, gold, iron and offshore oil, environmental groups started to push for conservation laws. When the world saw an energy crisis in the 1970s, many companies considered drilling in Antarctica.Drilling for oil in Antarctica will probably become a highly-debated topic if the cost of oil continues to go up.

Rules will be enforced individually since all 26 nations have their own laws.This is kept in check by the other nations in the treaty applying pressure to the government to punish any transgression.Many are in agreement that the treaty constitutes an environmental success story.

Antarctica, magnificent in its beauty and unmerciful in its brutality, is a land unto itself.During the history of mankind, there has been no blood shed due to war, making it unique in that respect.Despite the fact that battle has never reached this enormous continent, the sanitary cold kills germs to the point where men die more from violence there than illness.

This continent is quite the oxymoron, the most different of faiths and political stances cam come here and work closely together only inches away from freezing sub 100-degree weather.The cold environment on Antarctica necessitates the consumption of four meals per day, but the Americans there don’t gain weight, as maintaining body temperature burns calories at a ferocious rate.

This continent is often said to be the home of the “big eye.” This is due to the fact that in the summer season the sun shines 24 hours a day and causes many people to suffer from insomnia.In spite of this, the Antarctica based ’300 Degree Club’ has given rise to great entertainment.A bar the furthest south of the border exists in Antarctica, no matter what you buy it all costs the same, even if it is an expensive cognac. But a single night can lead to a massive bill.This is especially true between the months of April and September when the nights are very long.antarctica cruise adventures

Its heartland is blanketed with a 9,000-foot sheet of ice in motion, and yet geologists state that it may harbor a sufficient quantity of oil, gas and coal to heat the world.Lacking most laws, ones that it does have is quite peculiar, not a single fugitive could be arrested. If capable of surviving such harsh environments and temperatures a criminal would have massive valleys and mountain ranges to hide in.

You may be surprised that even though there are no laws, it is the continent with the lowest rate of crime in the world.If you wanted to commit a murder, you would do it in Antarctica, because you could never be prosecuted for it due to the lack of laws there.Even if someone knew about the murder, there are no extradition treaties or statutes that could be used to charge or prosecute the murderer.Recommended Antarctica Cruises

Ten flags from different countries are unfurled over the continent; however, not a single square foot of this real estate is claimed by any.Not a single country or nation has even attempted to try and make a permanent colony here on these primal lands. Ironically, these primal lands have some of the most technologically advanced pieces of equipment.

Even though most of the residents aren’t not permanent members of it’s society, they have the highest IQ in the world.In no other continent will you find more people with degrees than a high school education.There is more research preformed here than in any other geographical location. If you want to find scientific talent, you will find more here than at any university in the world.Unlike any other landmass, there are strict regulations that prevent any nuclear testing or nuclear bomb explosions.

The laws that Antarctica does have are incredibly strict environmental laws.A century ago the land and sea were bloody from the slaughter done by seal and whale hunters; today a special license is required before any animal life is killed.The world’s scientists, who find Antarctica to be a research treasure, are working hard to maintain its pristine condition.

It was one hundred years ago when the whaling ship called Antarctic lowered its anchor of the volcanic coast of this wind-battered landmass. Soon it sent a longboat to the landmass through the rough waters of the Ross Sea.The leader of this party was Captain Leonard Kristensen and they were the first people to set foot on Antarctica. This historic event happened on January 24, 1895 while on a mission to kill whales in waters that remained unclaimed.

Antarctica proceeded to be baptized with blood.The Industrial Revolution was starting to grow and the millions of seals that were slaughtered for their fur, as well as penguins and whales massacred for their oil, were part of what was needed to keep society moving forward.Many more hundreds of thousands of confused penguins form Macquarie Island were shepherded into large, boiling vats of oil and were subsequently reduced to oils themselves.

It took 100 years, but mankind has thankfully become much wiser and finally set priorities in the right direction. Rather than exploiting the amazing Frozen Continent for money, Antarctica is now designated as a nature preserve and used only for scientific research.There’s even talks of establishing a park where people from all over the world can visit.Antarctica serves as a window for scientists to understanding the potential danger of several global threats such as our ozone depletion as well as greenhouse effect.Thankfully, humanity’s presence in Antarctica was short-lived, and the reversal of the travesties committed on this great continent are now a thing of the past.Small areas of the coastline, some trails to the South Pole and a few islands were explored up until 1958.antarctic cruises

From the very first, the appearance of men on this continent has resulted in a convoluted story of nationalism, aggression, idealism, and unchecked slaughter, with sporadic, cavalier attempts toward scientific research.Whaling was stepped up in World War I, as refined oil was used to make glycerin for artillery shells.America and the Soviet Union began killing sperm whales for their extra-fine oil after World War II. This oil was used as jet engine lubricant.Prior to the International Geophysical Year of 1957-1958, Antarctica was identified as the “Terra Australia Incognita,” by medieval mapmakers.

It is important to note that even the first person to be born in Antarctica, who is still not an adult, was born here for the sake of patriotic affectation.In 1978, Emilio Marcus Palmer was born at Esperanza Base, owned by Argentina in order to reinforce claims by Argentina to large portions of the territory.antarctic cruise reviews

This was similar to Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walking on the moon nine years earlier and placing the American flag on the moon as a symbol of its dominance. Norway’s Roald Amundsen 1911 race to the South Pole was done explicitly to honor King Haakon VII, and make a direct claim on the territory.This same journey was made by Robert F. Scott of England, though his team took the time to amass fossil and rock samples along the way, carrying these things all on sleds.

Unfortunately, Scott arrived at the South Pole only to find that Amundsen had already been there the month before, and thanks to the depression over this realization, their poor diet, the effort of dragging those rocks, and some bad luck, Scott’s party never made it back, and became the first to give their lives for the sake of Antarctic science.America earned its claim to the South Pole when Richard Byrd flew over it in 1929 in a Ford Trimotor.The Soviet Union also announced their own interest in the area in 1821 when they sent Admiral Thaddeus Bellinghausen through the territory.