Seeing Antarctica in a Whole New Way

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Of all the continents, Antarctica is the coldest and inaccessible. In the past, it made sense that Antarctica, with little use, could be shared by all nations. However the realization by many nations that their resources may eventually run out has led many to look at Antarctica as a future source.

The aims of conservation and preservation also slowly being replaced with new aims of resource exploitation. International confrontations due to the exploitation of the natural resource may gradually replace the existing cooperation of international scientific studies. Visit this site for further information on antarctica cruises.

The scientists at stations such as the main U.S. Antarctica bases have always praised the decades of tranquil atmosphere surrounding the research and the sharing among the different nations. Even during times of war in the outside world the scientists feel a great bonding with their colleagues due to them facing the same challenges of the hostile environment, and they also share a passion for the scientific work that that are doing.

The work of Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd and his vision for the Antarctic has lead to a park being dedicated to him outside the National Science Foundation McMurdo building headquarters. Richard Evelyn Byrd led five expeditions across Antarctica and was the first to fly over the South Pole. He saw Antarctica as a continent where nations could work together for the common cause of science and that the Antarctic should be a prime example of international cooperation and peace. But are such noble ideas likely to remain as the world becomes more dependent on the Earth’s minerals and the need for energy increases? Visit this site for further information on cruise to antarctica.

Interest in the regions’ mineral deposits is growing, but as of yet no one knows the full potential of the mineral deposit to be found there. Politics has gradually become more involved in the situation in Antarctica and it is no longer just a scientific issue. Virgin oil reserves and precious mineral resources are believed to exist in large quantities under the deep frozen treacherous land and dangerous seas.

The Antarctic and the surrounding areas geologically resemble other oil, gas and mineral rich continents. Small scale drilling offshore by the U.S has already hinted that hydrocarbon deposits might exist. Coal is already known to be present as are deposits of tin, titanium, cobalt, lead, nickel, gold, chromium and uranium.

The extreme conditions of the region has meant the exploitation of the region has laid beyond the acceptable, until now that is. The technology that exists today can make the process of exploitation considerably easier and with the increasing costs of resources it is now more economical and this is worrying Antarctica’s scientists.

Environmental groups worldwide are also concerned because Antarctica is one of the only remaining regions of the Earth that is unpolluted and untouched. Groups including the Sierra Club and the International Institute for Environment and Development in London can see the inevitable conflict between commercial and environmental interests.

They both realize that mineral exploration is needed but that there must also be an assessment of the environmental damage that the exploitation will cause to the environment. What fears them is that the results of the studies will then encourage the development. What worries them the most is the oil development because of the likelihood of a spill. The majority of the animals, including seals and birds that live in the Antarctic, could be severely affected. The colder climate would cause the oil to not break up or degrade as quickly as in warmer areas so any spill is likely to be more damaging in the Antarctic than anywhere else.

Most of what goes on in, and about, Antarctica is tied to a landmark 1959 treaty that set the continent aside as a scientific preserve. The treaty was signed by twelve nations and they administer activities in the region and have ensured that the region is free of militarization and the dumping of nuclear waste. Great Britain, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, France, Norway and Chile all have territory claims in Antarctica but the treat managed to side step these land claims.

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