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Falklands & Antarctic Diary
by Richard Hollingham |
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On January 29, Richard Hollingham left the UK to report from Antarctica. As well as sending back reports he filed a diary of how he got on.
Antarctica - the frozen continent
Antarctica has inspired music, art and poetry and it's cost the lives of explorers and adventurers. Generations of schoolchildren have been inspired by the adventures of Captain Scott, the ultimate British hero. But now, more than anything else, it's science which each year brings thousands of people to the continent. Antarctic scientists were the first to discover the ozone hole and warn of the effects of climate change caused by global warming. Unexploited and still, in part, unexplored this pristine wilderness offers researchers a unique natural laboratory.
Life on the Edge
Britain is one of twenty seven countries operating science programmes on the continent. The British Antarctic Survey has two permanent bases at Halley and Rothera, which is on the Antarctic Peninsular. It also uses seasonal bases elsewhere on the continent and field parties fly into the interior to spend months living in tents cut off completely from the outside world. But even getting to Rothera, the largest and most accessible base, isn't easy. It involves an 18 hour flight from the UK to the Falklands, followed by a further flight onwards to Antarctica in a small 'Dash-7' and there are frequent delays caused by adverse weather. Once on base though life is reasonably civilised, there are showers, good food and a bar.
Reporting from the freezer
From the latest research on climate change to the eccentricities of life in Antarctica, there are plenty of things worth reporting. During my stay at Rothera and beyond, I've attempted to relate something of what it's like to be stationed on the continent as well as highlighting some of the science being carried out.
Richard joined us live from Antarctica to answer your questions
You can now read his answers
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Richard Hollingham |
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Join Richard from the comfort of your arm chair
Day 14 - 'Fossil Bluff', Antarctica
Day 13 - 'Val's ski-resort', Antarctica
Day 12 - 'Rothera Point' Antarctica
Day 11 - 'Peculiar customs' and nicknames
Day 10 - 'Ryder Bay', Antarctica
Day 9 - 'Lagoon Island', Antarctic Peninsula
Day 8 - 'Crevasse above Rothera Station'
Day 7 - 'Another Eventful Day', Rothera, Antarctica
Day 6 - 'Beware nest no. 9', Antarctica
Day 5 - 'Tent, Wormald Ice', Piedmont Antarctica
Day 4 - 'Rothera Research', Station' Antarctica.
Day 3 - 'Arrival at Rothera'
Day 2 - 'The Falkland Islands'
Day 1 - 'Wide Awake Airfield' Ascension Island.
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Antarctic Survey buildings |
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