antarc tic OFTHE IIUNITED [IN U STATES March 1981 National Science Foundation Volume XVI—N umber 1 scientific investigation-13 oceano- Science in Antarctica—a summary of graphic and biological voyages by the Discovery. During that time Richard E. national activities Byrd of the United States flew from the edge of the continent to the South Pole and routinely used radio communica- The expeditions of many countries began after the Sixth International Geo- tions, aerial photography, and air travel— have been drawn to Antarctica and its graphical Congress in 1895 urged the that have made possible todays large surrounding oceans over the last 200 promotion of antarctic research. Within scale science programs. After World years for vastly different reasons and at two decades the South Pole had been War II in 1946-1947 the largest national varying levels of commitment. In the reached, and scientists had begun to expedition to be launched was under- 18th and 19th centuries Cook, Ross, explore the interior of the continent. taken by the U.S. Navy. "Operation Wilkes, and others circumnavigated the Highjump" included 13 ships, 25 air- region or mapped portions of its coast. Between 1923 and 1939 the United craft, and more than 4,000 men. Serious investigations of the continent Kingdom conducted the first continuing In the 1950s international enthusiasm for science opened the way for the International Square at the U.S. McMurdo Station on Ross Island. United States to propose that Antarctica be made a major component of the In- ternational Geophysical Year (1957-1958). The 12-nation effort, the first major in- ternational science program to be con- ducted in Antarctica, laid the founda- tion for the Antarctic Treaty and made possible the level of international co- operation which exists today. At the conclusion of the International Geophysical Year, the 12 nations that had participated in the antarctic work formally recognized the cooperative spirit of the venture by drafting the Antarctic Treaty. In 1959 representatives of Ar- gentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States gathered in Washington, D.C. to draft and sign the document. The Treaty, which entered into force in 1961 after ratification by the 12 na- NSF photo tions, includes an agreement for free access to the continent for peaceful, sci 300 00 300 entific investigation. As of the end of South Atlantic Ocean 1980, 10 additional nations (Brazil, Bul- garia, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, the South Georgia German Democratic Republic, the Fed- Sanae eral Republic of Germany, the Nether- Orcadas (Argentina) (South Africa) lands, Poland, Romania, and Uruguay) Novolaza revs kaya (USSR) Georg von 500 had acceded to the Treaty. Accession to 600 •• Scotia Sea Syowa (Japan) NeurneyerNeumeyer the Treaty is open to any member nation V Molodezhnaya (USSR South Halley^(U. K,. (FRG) of the United Nations or any nation, Shetland (Japan) with the consent of all Consultative Par- 7/Island s Genera Mawson ties. An acceding nation may become a Weddell Sea (Australia) Consultative Party if it demonstrates its ano iii (Argentina) \ interest in Antarctica by conducting sub- ice Shelt Davis stantial scientific research activity, such as establishing a year-round scientific station. e 90°E Siiep (USA) Amundsen Scott (USA) Mirnyy • Vostok (USSR (USSR) eRoss She Casey (Australia) .McMurdo (USA) Russkaya Scott (New Zealand) SSRV Ross sea I I \ / 1200 70°S Dumont dUrvllle (France Leningradskaya \ / (USSR) \ / Indian Ocean South Pacific Ocean 150 The map shows the location of year-round stations In Antarctica, with the exception of Antarctic Peninsula stations. Editor: Winifred Reuning Antarctic Journal of the United States, established in 1966, reports on U.S. activities in Antarctica and related ac- Today more nations than ever before correspondence and other contact with tivities elsewhere, and on trends in the are interested in Antarctica, and many representatives Qf various national ant- U.S. Antarctic Research Program. It is nations are taking an active role in re- arctic programs. published quarterly (March, June, Sep- search on the continent. While inter- tember, and December) with a fifth an- national cooperation is frequent, the re- nual review issue by the Division of Po- search programs are, for the most part, lar Programs, National Science National research programs Foundation, Washington, D.C. 20550. independent and national. Twelve na- Telephone 2021357-7817. tions maintain year-round research pro- grams that include station, ship, and, Argentina: The country maintains eight year-round stations, six along the Subscription rates are $7.50 per five is- frequently, aircraft operations. These Antarctic Peninsula, one on the Luit- sues, domestic, and $9.40 per five is- represent virtually the only human ac- sues, foreign; single copies are $1.00 tivities in Antarctica. The levels of effort, pold Coast east of the Filchner Ice Shelf, ($1.25 foreign) except for the annual geographic location, and type of re- and one on Berkner Island. In 1978 the review issue, which is $5.50 ($6.90 for- search vary significantly among the na- wintering population at Argentine sta- eign). Address changes and subscrip- tions. Science programs for the most tions was approximately 200. The gravel tion matters should be sent to the Su- runway at Marambio Station (64° 17S perintendent of Documents, U.S. part fall among five disciplines—biolog- ical and medical sciences, ocean sci- 56° 45W) has made possible regular C- Government Printing Office, Washing- 130 airplane flights between the station ton, D.C. 20402. ences, glaciology, earth sciences, and atmospheric sciences. and South America. In the last 2 years, The. Director of the National Science Argentina has purchased the Bahia Par- Foundation has determined that the To show the level of current interest aiso, a supply ship; the Almirante Irizar, publication of this periodical is neces- in Antarctica, a country-by-country a 14,000-ton icebreaker equipped for sary in the transaction of the public summary of national activities follows. marine research; and the Puerto Deseado, business required by law of this agency. Principal sources of information are the an ice-strengthened research ship. The Use of funds for printing this periodical annual exchanges of information under countrys research program includes ef- has been approved by the director of the Antarctic Treaty and the Scientific forts in most of the five scientific disci- the Office of Management and Budget Committee on Antarctic Research, sup- plines, with marine science concen- through 30 September 1984. plemented by information received by trated in the Drake Passage and other the National Science Foundation through nearby antarctic waters. ANTARCTIC JOURNAL Argentina, which has asserted a claim new 360-foot long, ice-strengthened re- Seas, includes bottom sampling, core to the Antarctic Peninsula and adjacent search ship is expected to be completed collection, depth sounding, multi-chan- areas, has had an active antarctic pro- by 1982 and will have space for 35 crew nel seismic reflection profiling, sono-ra- gram since 1904. members, 40 scientists, and 26 addi- dio buoy refraction sounding, magne- tional passengers. tometry, gravimetry, and terrestrial heat Australia: Three year-round Austra- lian stations with a winter population During the 1980-81 season, two FRG flow measurements. In another major marine project this season, Japanese sci- of about 75-85 personnel are operated ships, the RIV Walter Herwig and RJV entists surveyed krill in various areas in East Antarctica. The ice-strengthened Meteor, surveyed krill in the Scotia Sea around Antarctica. ship M/V Nella Dan, chartered from a with the U.S. RV Melville and Polish Danish firm, provides intercontinental RN Professor Siedlecki. The two Federal In 1969, Japanese reseachers discov- transport and resupply for the stations Republic of Germany ships also sup- ered nine meteorites in the Queen Fa- and is supplemented by the MN Thala ported science projects in the Weddell biola Mountains at 71° 30S 35° 40E. Dan and Nanok S. During the summer, and Scotia Seas. In earth sciences, a Over the last decade this discovery has field parties are supported locally by major expedition in northern Victoria led to other highly productive meteorite small airplanes and helicopters. Land was undertaken during the searches, some in collaboration with 1979-1980 austral summer. The project, In 1978, following a major policy re- U.S. scientists in southern Victoria Land which focused on the Robertson Bay view of its program, Australia began to and others by the Japanese near their area (71° 25S 170°E) between Capes rebuild its stations with completion of stations in East Antarctica. Adare and Barrow, was supported by the effort expected by 1990. Efforts are the RJV Schepelsturm along with three Japan and the United States have also being made to expand the countrys re- helicopters for aerial support. cooperated in a variety of geological and search program, which includes all five geophysical programs in recent years. disciplines with emphasis in glaciology Japan, the United States, and New Zea- and meteorology. France: The country maintains one year-round station (Dumont dUrville at land are cooperating in a seismic inves- In 1980 headquarters for the Austra- 66° 40S 140° 01E) on the coast of Adelie tigation of Mt. Erebus on Ross Island. lian program were moved to a new com- Land with a winter party of about 35. New Zealand: Scott Base, New Zea- plex in Hobart, Tasmania, which also The MN Thala Dan is chartered for the lands year-round station, is approxi- will serve as the headquarters for the resupply of the French station and, on mately 3 kilometers from the U.S. Commission and Secretariat of the Con- a cooperative basis, occasionally resup- McMurdo Station on Ross Island. The vention on the Conservation of Antarc- plies Australian stations.