Antarctica is the coldest, windiest and driest place on Earth. It is almost entirely covered in ice. The lowest temperature measured was -88ºC. In the interior, wind speeds reach up to 350 km/h. The annual rainfall is about 50mm inland and 35mm along the coast (South Africa’s average annual rainfall is 464mm, and the world average is 857mm). During summer, Antarctica has 24-hour days and no nights, whereas in winter, there are 24-hour nights and the sun never rises for about one month.
Who owns Antarctica?
The Antarctic continent does not belong to any state or government. South Africa and other 44-member nations belong to the Antarctic Treaty. Signatories undertake to ensure that the Antarctic region will only be used for peaceful and scientific purposes and to protect and preserve the environment.
South Africa in Antarctica
The mission of the South African National Antarctic Programme (Sanap) is to increase our understanding of the natural environment and life in the area through appropriate research, science and technology and to use the unique vantage point Antarctica provides for space-weather observations.
In 1959, the first South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) was undertaken. The expedition established a permanent presence for South Africa on Antarctica. The most recent South African base, SANAE-IV, is located 170km inland. It was completed in 1997.
How to get there
Antarctica is about 4 000km away from South Africa. It takes 10 to 15 days to travel there by ship, the time depending on how much ice there is along the way. It can only be reached between November/December and April/May. The SA Agulhas is South Africa’s research and supply ship which is used to transport people and cargo to its three bases in Antarctica and on the Marion and Gough Islands.
Science in Antarctica
Sanap plays a big role to conserve Antarctica, which is considered a living laboratory. Studies done in Antarctica help us to understand the entire Earth system. Signals that researchers pick up in Antarctica tell us more about global changes in the past, as well as possible future changes. The following are some interesting research projects that are being undertaken in by South Africans in Antarctica:
- Physical science
Physical science is the study of non-living things, and is focused on geomagnetic and space weather related observations. Physical science research is conducted all year round in Antarctica. Experiments include a network of high-frequency radars used to study the Earth’s ionosphere; observing geospace (the area of space that surrounds Earth) from Earth; research on cosmic rays (very high energy charged particles from the cosmos); and observations of the magnetosphere. This physical science observations done in Antarctica is important because space weather — resulting from outbursts on the sun — always has a greater impact near the poles, than anywhere else on Earth.
- Studying the oceans
Oceanography is the scientific study of oceans, including their chemistry, biology and geology. Studying the oceans south of Africa contributes to our understanding of the weather and climate of southern Africa. Biodiversity in Antarctica and the islands and the Southern Ocean provide exciting research opportunities.
- Engineering science
Engineers do research into how South Africa can ensure a sustainable presence in Antarctica. They study energy generation and waste management, solar and wind energy, reducing air pollution, heating and ventilation of the bases, and improving the living conditions at the bases.
- Biological science
There may not seem to be much biological activity in Antarctica, until one takes a closer look. An example of research done on the “wildlife” of this continent is a study on the effect of humans on micro arthropods (animals that have segmented bodies and jointed, hollow legs such as spiders, insects and crustaceans) of Antarctica.
- Weather
The South African Weather Service collects data on weather and the climate in Antarctica and on the Southern Ocean Islands, and have weather offices at SANAE-IV, Marion Island and Gough Island.