India to launch scientific expedition to South Pole

EXPEDITION

New Delhi, Jul 23 (PTI) India will launch its first
scientific expedition to the South Pole this November to
commemorate the centenary of Norwegian explorer Roald
Amundsen's feat.
An eight-member team of scientists will embark on the
treacherous journey to the South Pole from 'Maitri', India's
research station in the Antarctic region.
During their five-day journey, the scientists will
conduct experiments, gather atmospheric data and collect ice
cores from the frozen continent in their bid to understand the
changes in the environment over past 1,000 years.
"The journey from Maitri to the South Pole, approximately
about 3,000 kms, will also help understand climate change over
the years," Shailesh Nayak, Secretary, Ministry of Earth
Sciences told PTI here.
Experiments involving geomorphology -- the study of
landforms and geophysics -- which includes movements of
tectonic plates are being planned.
These studies are expected to add to the knowledge of
how the ancient landmass, once fused with other continents in
a super-continent before being separated 200 million years
ago, has evolved, he said.
While Amundsen reached the South Pole on December 14,
1911 in dog-drawn sledges, Indian scientists will use special
sport utility vehicles (SUV) for their journey.
The government is planning to acquire one SUV at an
estimated cost of Rs 90 lakh, another three would be hired for
the expedition.
The challenging effort, even with the aid of navigational
equipment and modern ice-traversing vehicles, is seen as part
of India's bid to enhance its presence on the South Pole.
India is also in the advanced stages of building its
third research station named 'Bharti' in the Larsemann Hills
region in the eastern part of the frozen continent.
Apart from studying climate change, the station will play
a key role in oceanographic research.
Much of the construction material was transported to the
site last summer and work is due to begin once the current
winter conditions in Antarctica ease.
"We get about 60 days to carry out construction
activities every year. Weather permitting, we hope to built
the first phase of the research station from this November,"
Nayak said.
The station is expected to be functional by 2012. As part
of its studies, it will undertake experiments on how life
forms like lichens and algae adopt and survive, knowledge of
which is of value in developing new drugs.
India's first research station in the Antarctic region --
Dakshin Gangotri-- was established in 1983-84. It was
abandoned in 1990 after it sunk in the snow partially. PTI SKU
MYR


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