Antarctica

Antarctica is the most unique and pristine place on Earth I have visited. The pure white, blue, green and black landscape along with the isolation of this land makes it one of the most beautiful locations on Earth. 

All pictures were photographed by my family and I between December 2006 and January 2007 along the antarctic peninsula. 

As a student of geology, the stark contrast between the igneous rocks and the glaciers was the most striking. Deception Island is a beautiful island off the antarctic peninsula. It's natural harbor has been used as refuge from violent seas, whaling bases and scientific observatory stations. The natural harbor is also a flooded caldera of an active volcano. The last field confirmed eruption occurred in 1970.   

Volcanic Activity in the Antarctic Peninsula
Upper left: View along the side of Deception Island's flooded caldera. Upper right: Glaciers and basalt on the Shetland Islands. Lower left: Layered glacial and volcanic ash deposits show the eruptive history of Deception Island.  Lower center: Warm water bubbling up through the icy antarctic water on the volcanic island's shore. Lower right: Penguins resting amongst columnar joints on Gordin Island.

For more information on the geologic history of Deception Island see "Lithostratigraphy and volcanic evolution of Deception Island, South Shetland Islands" in Antarctic Science.
For an Introduction to Deception Island  and the current volcanic alert state see Deception Island A.S.M.A.

In the ocean  near the continent there are what appear to be little black spots in the water. In reality they are super condensed ice. On the mainland as glaciers form, compact and flow the air is squeezed out of the glacier ice at depth. The ice towards the bottom of the glacier is very old and compressed with nearly all the air removed. Eventually the glaciers reach the shore, calve and melt in the ocean. What is left of these massive glaciers and icebergs is a crystal clear freshwater pressurized icecube that is thousands of years old.

One important note to add is when I called Antarctica pristine I was excluding the stench from penguins. There are something a picture and video can never adequately represent. 

 Aside from the penguins' bathroom habits the animals of Antarctica are breathtaking. They are abundant along the peninsula. The penguins are particularly curious and often would slide or waddle up to us as we went about.  

Fauna of the Antarctic Peninsula

Iceberg off the Antarctic coast.

Old ship and Whale bones on shore at
Mikkelson Harbour on Trinity Island.

Landscapes of the Antarctic Penensula
Upper left: Lemaire channel (photographed at 1:00 A.M.). Upper center: Cierva Cove. Upper right: Iceless view from one side of Deception. Lower left: Lemaire channel (1:00 A.M.). Lower center: Gordin Island. Lower Right: Ice filled Cierva Cove.  

Along some of the Islands of the the Antarctica Peninsula flora and streams can be found. Moss and grass grows on the peninsula because it has a maritime polar climate. However the plant life here only survives because it is adapted to icy conditions. The tundra makes up an extremely small part of the continent but when found is  prominent against the glacial backdrop.  

To protect the flora visitors are asked to walk in the stream bed to avoid stepping on vegetation. 

Antarctic Flora

Later I will talk about some of the fun activities that took place and the amazing people on this trip. Until next time, don't forget to enjoy this beautiful Earth for all it is - go outside!

         -Che.