Silence shrouds Antarctic dig w Russian scientists
Feb 6, 2012 12:07:01 GMT -5
Post by shann0 on Feb 6, 2012 12:07:01 GMT -5
www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ominous-silence-shrouds-icy-dig/story-fn6e1m7z-1226262836589
Silence shrouds Antarctic dig
NewsCore
February 05, 2012 1:16AM
Hole Punch Clouds
Icy mission: Russian scientists are racing against oncoming winter to explore an Antarctic lake that has been hidden beneath the ice for millions of years. Picture: AP Source: AP
A TEAM of Russian scientists has gone quiet as they race against winter to uncover an ancient Antarctic lake.
The group from Russia's Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI) have been drilling for weeks in an effort to reach isolated Lake Vostok, a vast, dark body of water hidden 4000m below the surface of the continent. Lake Vostok has not been exposed to air in more than 20 million years.
The team's last contact with colleagues in the outside world was six days ago, and scientists from around the globe are unsure of the fate of the mission - and the scientists themselves - as Antarctica's deadly winter draws near.
"When you're outside, it's extremely cold - minus 30, minus 40," microbiologist Dr David A Pearce said. "If you left your eyes open the fluid in them would start to freeze. Your nostrils would start to freeze. The moisture in your mouth would start to freeze."
Related Coverage
Fears for Antarctic 'alien' lake scientists Courier Mail, 1 day ago
Russians race to reach underground lake Herald Sun, 3 days ago
Antarctic reveals its deep, dark secrets The Daily Telegraph, 5 Jan 2012
Life in a deep lost world Adelaide Now, 4 Jan 2012
NZ makes emergency Antarctic dash The Daily Telegraph, 18 Dec 2011
Dr Pearce heads a team from the British Antarctic Survey on a competing mission, set to plumb the depths of Lake Ellsworth, one of a string of more than 370 lakes beneath Antarctica that may soon see light for the first time for eons. But time is running out for the Russian scientists.
"They need to be out by the sixth of February," Dr Pearce said, when winter sets in and temperatures drop another 40 degrees Centigrade. Vostok Station boasts the lowest recorded temperature on Earth, -89.4C.
The Russian scientists have been communicating with Dr Pearce and colleagues at a third Antarctic expedition - a study of the subglacial Whillans Ice Stream mainly featuring US scientists.
The competing teams have been watching the Russians and sharing notes over the past few days, Dr Pearce said, yet no one knows what has happened.
"We're all waiting with bated breath," he said.
Antarctic scientists carry Iridium satellite phones for communication, he said, but there are spots without coverage. The scientists may have encountered a technical issue, he speculated, or perhaps they have simply packed up and are traveling home - keeping their discoveries to themselves.
"I don't think there's anything sinister or ominous," Dr Pearce said.
Silence shrouds Antarctic dig
NewsCore
February 05, 2012 1:16AM
Hole Punch Clouds
Icy mission: Russian scientists are racing against oncoming winter to explore an Antarctic lake that has been hidden beneath the ice for millions of years. Picture: AP Source: AP
A TEAM of Russian scientists has gone quiet as they race against winter to uncover an ancient Antarctic lake.
The group from Russia's Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI) have been drilling for weeks in an effort to reach isolated Lake Vostok, a vast, dark body of water hidden 4000m below the surface of the continent. Lake Vostok has not been exposed to air in more than 20 million years.
The team's last contact with colleagues in the outside world was six days ago, and scientists from around the globe are unsure of the fate of the mission - and the scientists themselves - as Antarctica's deadly winter draws near.
"When you're outside, it's extremely cold - minus 30, minus 40," microbiologist Dr David A Pearce said. "If you left your eyes open the fluid in them would start to freeze. Your nostrils would start to freeze. The moisture in your mouth would start to freeze."
Related Coverage
Fears for Antarctic 'alien' lake scientists Courier Mail, 1 day ago
Russians race to reach underground lake Herald Sun, 3 days ago
Antarctic reveals its deep, dark secrets The Daily Telegraph, 5 Jan 2012
Life in a deep lost world Adelaide Now, 4 Jan 2012
NZ makes emergency Antarctic dash The Daily Telegraph, 18 Dec 2011
Dr Pearce heads a team from the British Antarctic Survey on a competing mission, set to plumb the depths of Lake Ellsworth, one of a string of more than 370 lakes beneath Antarctica that may soon see light for the first time for eons. But time is running out for the Russian scientists.
"They need to be out by the sixth of February," Dr Pearce said, when winter sets in and temperatures drop another 40 degrees Centigrade. Vostok Station boasts the lowest recorded temperature on Earth, -89.4C.
The Russian scientists have been communicating with Dr Pearce and colleagues at a third Antarctic expedition - a study of the subglacial Whillans Ice Stream mainly featuring US scientists.
The competing teams have been watching the Russians and sharing notes over the past few days, Dr Pearce said, yet no one knows what has happened.
"We're all waiting with bated breath," he said.
Antarctic scientists carry Iridium satellite phones for communication, he said, but there are spots without coverage. The scientists may have encountered a technical issue, he speculated, or perhaps they have simply packed up and are traveling home - keeping their discoveries to themselves.
"I don't think there's anything sinister or ominous," Dr Pearce said.