Chapter 28: Oceania and Antarctica  "Antarctica"

Introduction In this chapter you read about Antarctica, the coldest place on Earth, and Oceania, which contains some of Earth's most beautiful tropical locations. Each year about 4,000 scientists are engaged in studying the continent of Antarctica. Its remote location and frigid temperatures can make life there dangerous. Destination Title: Center for Astrophysical Research in Antarctica Note: Clicking on the link above will launch a new browser window. Need help using your browser for this activity? Click here for tips. Directions Start at the Center for Astrophysical Research in Antarctica's Virtual Tour site Read the information on the page, then click on McMurdo at the bottom of the screen. Explore the information about McMurdo, then click on South Pole at the bottom of the screen. Read about the South Pole, then click on More Cold Facts at the bottom of the page. Browse through the text and pictures on each page. To enlarge a photograph, click on it. To return to the full page of text, click the "back" button. After navigating these pages, answer the following questions. 1. To what country do many people go to prepare for their journey to Antarctica? 2. Why did Robert Falcon Scott establish a base at Hut Point, now McMurdo Station? 3. Who was the first to reach the South Pole? 4. The precipitation levels at the South Pole are similar to what other location on Earth? 5. Pretend that you have taken an expedition to the South Pole. Use the information on this site to create a journal of your trip. Include at least five journal entries. You should describe the transportation, landscape, weather, and other interesting observations.