TTHEHE LLASTAST GGREATREAT

Department of Science and Technology WWILDERNESSILDERNESS www.dst.gov.za Sou y from th Af From Gondwana to wa rica The of, and a . I km t t early expeditions to, 0 ak 0 e 1195-13695-136 myamya 0 s Antarctica 4 4 JURASSIC ERA – A single s i 0 335050 BCBC mass of land (a super- a d continent) called Early Greeks hypothesise ic a Gondwana begins t y that a large mass of land to break up to c s must exist to counter the r form modern day t weight of the . They a o Africa, Antarctica, t call this land Antarctica

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338-268-26 myamya South Pole 11840840 OLIGOCENE ERA – Icebergs become British, French and American expeditions permanent and Antarctica becomes Indigenous plants and animals establish status of Antarctica as a continent. a frozen winterland with little vegeta- tion, the coldest temperatures and Antarctica is a hostile environment and most of the plants and creatures in 11899899 strongest winds. South Africa will not survive there. Lichen – a plant composed of fungus and leads British expedition algae – is found growing on the rocky outcrops. Invertebrates (animals that landed men at . This was the fi rst 226-76-7 myamya without any backbones) such as ticks and mites are also found. Larger land expedition team to spend a winter in Antarctica. MIOCENE ERA – Whole surface of Antarctica animals include penguins and seals. Some breeds of becomes covered with ice and seal-like 11911911 creatures, or pinnipeds, become inhabitants penguin include the Emperor and Adelie penguin. Norwegian , along with four of Antarctica. Twelve seal species live on the coastline. The other expedition members, discovers a new surrounding ocean is the home of whales, route that leads to the South Pole. 77-1,8-1,8 mmyaya which feed on krill and Ross Sea PLIOCENE ERA – Fossils of plants and animals sometimes seals and 11923923 from this era indicate many ice sheet movements The beginning of large-scale factory-ship and melting. penguins. whaling in the Ross Sea. 11,8,8 mya-10mya-10 000000 yearsyears agoago 11928928 PLEISTOCENE ERA  The Great Sir makes the fi rst Antarctic fl ight Ice Age begins. 30% of the from the Antarctic Peninsular to the Ross Sea. Earth is covered by glaciers and some oceans freeze. 11935935 1100 000000 yyearsears Caroline Mikkelsen from Norway becomes the fi rst aagogo – TTodayoday woman to land on HOLOCENE – The Earth Antarctica. warms and deserts form in some areas. Human civilisations develop. A cold 11961961 ocean current isolates waters around Antarctica, The Antarctic Treaty governing activities in and the continent is permanently frozen. Antarctica is signed. South Africa is one of the original signatories of this Treaty. Note: mya = million years ago. SSOUTHOUTH AAFRICA’SFRICA’S

Department of Science and Technology IINVOLVEMENTNVOLVEMENT www.dst.gov.za

11663663 – 11773773 Discovery of the Prince Edward Islands which includes Marion Island. 11800800 – 11932932 Sealing industry thrives and leads to the near extermination of fur seals on Prince Edward Islands. 11939939 – 11948948 After World War II, Marion and Prince Edward islands are annexed in 1948 and offi cially proclaimed South Africa’s territory. SA Agulhas South African base in Antarctica

The SA Agulhas is the Department of Environmental Antarctica has hostile living conditions that are not suitable for human Aff airs and Tourism’s research and supply ves- beings, therefore the design of the South African base requires careful sel, which is used by the South African National consideration. In addition to this, researchers are committed to pre- Antarctic Programme (SANAP) for the transpor- serving the fragile environment of the Antarctic and have to be extra tation of personnel and cargo to its three bases careful not to destroy or pollute the surrounding ecosystems. in Antarctica and on Marion and Gough islands. When South African researchers fi rst started staying in the 11958/59958/59 Other countries also charter the Agulhas to assist Antarctic they stayed in bases – SANAE I, II and III – which were The fi rst South African National Antarctic with their Antarctic programmes, e.g. Germany. The built on the ice shelf. However, these bases had a short lifespan Expedition (SANAE) based at an old Norwegian ship also conducts research, weather observations and due to impacting snow. The decision was therefore made to station. buoy deployments in the waters surrounding Antarctica, build SANAE IV about 170km inland on a ‘nunatak’ and Marion and Gough islands. Many weather buoys have (meaning rocky outcrop) at Vesleskarvet. 11962962 been released at 12-hourly intervals on these voyages, and The frame of the base is made of steel and the outer SANAE I, the fi rst South African base is built in meteorological reports are transmitted every three hours layer is rigid, pre-constructed foam and fi breglass panels. Antarctica. when at sea. The Agulhas uses satellite navigation to plot The base is built on stilts, to allow for wind fl ow and to prevent 11963963 its way from South Africa to the three bases. The ship has the accumulation of snow. The roof and bottom panels a large hanger that accommodates helicopters used for air are painted bright orange which makes it easier to see The fi rst postgraduate degree (MSc) is awarded for research conducted as part of South African support in the offl oading of personnel and cargo at all three the base from the air. The living quarters are heated National Antarctic Programme (SANAP). stations. The Agulhas can accommodate 94 non-naval passen- by heat exchangers that are run off a generator. Fresh gers and each cabin has its own shower and toilet facilities. water is obtained by melting snow. 11970/71970/71 The fi rst SANAE base in Antarctica replaced by a second base called SANAE II. Living conditions for 11978978 humans in Antarctica The research vessel, the mv SA Agulhas, makes its maiden Antarctica has no native human population. It is a hostile voyage. environment and living there is extremely diffi cult. Researchers from a number of countries occupy the 11978/79978/79 continent at various bases. Ship and air support provide the SANAE II is replaced transportation by SANAE III. of personnel, 11981981 equipment, cargo and supplies. This Two long-range Aerospatiale Puma helicopters become available on the SA Agulhas. includes vehicles, food, fuel, research 11991/92991/92 equipment, – 11996/97996/97 clothing, etc. The SANAE IV base is erected on hard rock at Vesleskarvet in Antarctica. 22003003 Research support transferred to the Department of Science and Technology and logistics remains with the Department of Environmental Aff airs and Tourism. Department of Science and Technology DDIDID YYOUOU KKNOW?NOW? www.dst.gov.za

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Department of Science PPHYSICALHYSICAL SSCIENCECIENCE and Technology www.dst.gov.za

Contact details

University of KwaZulu-Natal Department of Physics www.ukzn.ac.za AANTARCTICNTARCTIC RESEARCH:RESEARCH:

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Department of Science EENGINEERINGNGINEERING SCIENCESSCIENCES and Technology www.dst.gov.za

Engineering research at the Antarctic started in 1999 and emphasises the natural and environmental dimension of science, as opposed to industrial- orientated engineering research. Students often conduct and complete their research at Antarctica. REDUCING AIR POLUTION IMPROVING LIVING CONDITIONS IMPROVING EXPLORING WIND EXPLORING ENERGY

ENERGY & WASTE MANAGEMENT Contact details HEATING & VENTILATION University of Stellenboasch Dept. of Mechanical Engineering www.sun.ac.za