antarctica
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ANTARCTICA. The frozen continent. By Thomas 4B/CE2B. Introduction. You have already learned about where it is, how large it is and what lives on the continent But who found it, and who were the people that risked their lives?. Who found Antarctica?. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
ANTARCTICAThe frozen continent
By Thomas 4B/CE2B
Introduction
• You have already learned about where it is, how large it is and what lives on the continent
• But who found it, and who were the people that risked their lives?
Who found Antarctica?
• The greek philosphers in 600BC-300BC thought that there was land at the North and South polar regions
• They also thought that the earth was round!
• 1772 - Captain James Cook, Royal Navy, sails within 75miles of the continent but does not see it
• 1820 – Admiral Bellinghausen – Russian naval officer discovers ice shelf called “Fimbul Ice Shelf”
• 1823 – Mr James Weddell – British seal hunter - discovers the Weddell Sea
• 1840 – Jules Dumont d’Urville discovers Adelie Land
Early sightings of Antarctica
71 years later
• 1911 – Amundsen, Norweigan, reaches the south pole for the first time
My favorite polar explorer?
Sir Ernest Shackleton
Transantarctic Expedition 1914• 1914 – expedition leaves UK for Antarctica• Shackleton is expedition leader• Endurance:
Endurance: beset in ice in the Weddell Sea before sinking
Crew camp on ice and make there way to Elephant Island
From Elephant Island – 5 set off to get help! 18 days at sea in this!
750 miles – without charts and only a compass they reach South Georgia
Rescue
• From South Georgia they climbed a mountain• Found the whaling station and help• Shackleton finds a ship and then picks up his
crew• No one loses their life! • Amazing!
What did they live on?
• Penguin • Seal• Dog• Fish• Birds• No fruit or vegetables!