Antarctic News Archive - People, expeditions and governmental issues

A collection of older (2004-2005) news items that relate to people, expeditions and pertinent goverment issues in the Antarctic. All links will take you to sites outside of PRISM. Use your back button to return.

Return to Archive Topic List

December, 2005

December 8, 2005 - Researchers Head For Antarctic - The Australian
Australian scientists will leave next week to study the area's marine ecosystem from South Africa to Davis Station.

November, 2005

November 28, 2005 - Rubbing Shoulders With Penguins, Climbing Rocks In Antarctica - PUNE Newsline (India)
Two Master's level Biodiversity students from Garware college are the first Indian college students in 25 years chosen to accompany a science mission to Antarctica. They will be based at the Indian research station, Maitri.
November 20, 2005 - Kansas Researchers Head For Antarctica - SiliconValley.com
A team of University of Kansas researchers and students will be leaving soon to study conditions in Antarctica, in an effort to better understand the earth's change in sea levels. This is a team associated with PRISM and CReSIS.
November 19, 2005 - He Goes With The Floe - Times Online
Lewis Gordon Pugh is preparing for an epic swim in Antarctic waters. He will be assessed by scientist while trying to complete a 1 km swim.
November 18, 2005 - Greenpeace To Hunt Japanese Whaling Ships - ABC (Australia)
Two Greenpeace ships have announced their intention to interfere with Japanese vessels hunting minke whales in Antarctic waters.
November 18, 2005 - Snow Dragon Sets Sail For South Pole - China Daily
Chinese scientists have left Shanghai aboard the Xuelong (Snow Dragon), an icebreaker headed for Antarctica. Their purpose is to make deep sea surveys.
November 17, 2005 - Climate Scientist Awarded The Kidson Medal - Scoop (Meteorological Society)
Climate scientist Doctor Jim Renwick of the National Institute of Water and Atmosphere (NIWA) has been awarded the Kidson medal by the New Zealand's Royal Meteorological Society for his paper on "Southern Hemisphere circulation and relations with sea ice and sea surface temperature" published in 2000.
November 10, 2005 - Antarctica Is A Hot Spot For UA Scientists Hunting Meteorites - SpaceDaily
Scientists and students from the University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory spend their winter vacations in Antarctica searching for meteorites, because they love to study these rocks from space. A team will be leaving this month for the icy continent.
November 4, 2005 - Japanese Vessel to Be Returned for $300,000 - Scoop
A Japanese fishing vessel will be returned to the owners upon payment for the vessel as well as punitive fines. This vessel was caught poaching two years ago in protected Antarctic waters and became property of New Zealand.
November 4, 2005 - Day Trippers Head For South Pole - Guardian Unlimited
Hundreds of Australians will be taking part in a non-stop sightseeing flight over the South Pole. This flight will take place on New Year's Eve.

October, 2005

October 31, 2005 - Big Science Adventures for New Zealand Students - Scoop
The Royal Society of New Zealand, in partnership with Freemasons New Zealand, is organizing a video challenge for NZ students. The students will produce a 5 minute video documentary on a science topic for the competition. The grand prize winner will travel to Antarctica with the NZ Youth On Ice program to film another documentary.
October 25, 2005 - Body Of Missing Argentinian Researcher Found - IOL
Authorities said that they have found the body of one of two Argentines missing for more than a month in Antarctica after their snowmobile plunged into a deep ice crevasse.
October 25, 2005 - British Antarctic Scientists To Get New Home - Terra Daily
British scientists are to get a new mobile research base, to be named the Halley VI Research Station. This station will be located on the Brunt Ice Shelf.
October 23, 2005 - Tourism Quota for Antarctic - Guardian Unlimited
The body that monitors tourism in the Antarctic is calling for official limits on the number of tourists to protect the continent from environmental damage.
October 18, 2005 - Antarctic Expedition To Study Rising Methane Levels - NZ Herald
A team of Australian scientists have set out for Antarctica with the aim of collecting ice cores and analyzing the methane trapped in air bubbles within them. Since methane is a serious contributor to global warming, it is important to determine the source of methane in order to determine how much the industrial era has contributed to the change.
October 9, 2005 - Exhibition of South Pole Images - BBC
Several of Herbert Pontings' photographs taken during Robert Scott's fatal bid for the South Pole are being exhibited at Cambridge.

September, 2005

September 30, 2005 - Chilean Troops Die In Antarctica - BBC
The bodies of three Chilean officers whose snowmobile fell into a hidden crevasse, have been recovered. The men were trapped for over 30 hours in the crevasse in their crushed snowmobile. This is the second fatal accident in the area. Argentinian researchers were lost in a crevasse on Sept 17 and have not yet been found.
September 22, 2005 - No Sign Of Missing Antarctic Duo - BBC
Three Argentine army rescuers descended 394 feet into a crevasse that had swallowed up an Argentine researcher and Navy officer two days ago. They were unable to reach the bottom and said the crevasse was like a maze. Bad weather is expected to hamper further efforts.
September 21, 2005 - Little Hope For Two Lost in 60m Antarctic Crevasse - The Australian
Hopes faded for rescuing two Argentines who fell into a deep crevasse on Saturday, though rescue efforts continued. Three others, working in the same region, were taken out by helicopter on Monday.
September 20, 2005 - Are They Alive? Time Running Out ... - National Post
Augusto Thibaud, a Argentine biologist, and Teofilo Gonzalez of the Argentine Navy were among five researchers travelling by snowmobile on Saturday between Uruguay's General Artigas base and the Argentine base of Jubany. These men were on the Collins glacier when they plunged into a deep crevasse. The other three were able to avoid the crevasse, but set up camp nearby to await rescue and assistance. Similar story from ABC.
September 20, 2005 - Missing Argentine Men Sought in Antarctica - ABC
Rescuers have arrived to try to locate and rescue the Argentine biology researcher and the Argentine navy officer whose snowmobile was swallowed up by an unseen crevasse earlier today. The men have not been heard from since their fall into the crevasse.
September 1, 2005 - 22nd Antarctic Expedition to Start November - China.org
China is set to begin its 22nd annual research expedition to Antarctica in November. The major focus of this expedition will be to collect meteorites in the Grove Mountains as well as research on global warming and ice lakes.

August, 2005

August 9, 2005 - ANDRILL Project To Lead U.S. Antarctic Research Efforts - Newswise
The National Science Foundation has funded a consortium of five U.S. universities to drill and retrieve rock samples from the seabed in the McMurdo Sound area of the Ross Sea. This will help scientists better understand climate history of the area, which in turn will better inform climate modelers. This effort, headed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northern Illinois University will be a focal point of the International Polar Year (2007-2009).
August 8, 2005 - Hesperides To Set Sail To Study Life On Antarctic Ocean Floor - TerraDaily
A group of researchers will be working for its second season in the Bellinghausen Sea to study biodiversity in the sea and in the sediment of the ocean floor. This research will use a trawler net and a 50cm X 50cm box-corer for their study.

July, 2005

July 22, 2005 - Ice-bound Rescue Mission Recalled - BBC
An exhibition detailing Sir Ernest Shackelton's rescue of his men left stranded on Elephant Island has been opened at the National Museum of Ireland.
July 21, 2005 - Korea To Spend W70 Billion For Second Antarctic Base - BBC
South Korea plans to build a second research base, this one to be sited near the center of Antarctica. Construction will begin in 2008 and will cost about $67 million (U.S.).
July 13, 2005 - Time On The Shelf - TerraDaily
Robert Bindschadler, a glaciologist with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, talks about being lost on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet for a short period of time.

June, 2005

June 9, 2005 - Former Governor Appointed Honorary Antarctic Ambassador - ABC
A former Tasmanian governor is again serving the state, this time as honorary Antarctic ambassador.The Tasmanian Government has appointed Sir Guy Green to the position, taking over from Tim Bowden, who has served a three-year term.

May, 2005

May 31, 2005 - Antarctica Conference In Sweden To Focus On Environment, Climate Change - Terra Daily
Representatives of 50 governments, researchers and experts will meet for a two-week conference in Stockholm to discuss the Antarctic, especially environmental and climate change issues, the Swedish hosts said on Tuesday.
May 12, 2005 - Scientists Recruit Deep Seal Divers - Scotsman
Elephant seals have been fitted with tiny computers to monitor the ocean temperature and salinity and to trace the migration routes of these mammals.

April, 2005

April 12, 2005 - Wanted: Women To Work In Antarctica - MSNBC
The British Antarctic Survey is making a concerted effort to recruit more tradeswomen to work at their bases in Antarctica.
April 2, 2005 - Ship Returns After Successful Supply Voyage - ABC
Australia's Aurora Australis has returned to Hobart after a successful voyage supplying fuel, food and scientific supplies to Australian Antarctic stations. There was some fear the ship would be unable to break through unusually thick ice around Mawson.

March, 2005

March 31, 2005 - Antarctic Tourists May Face Tougher Regulations - ABC
A plan for regulating tourist travel to Heard and McDonald Islands has been proposed to try to protect plants, seabirds and seals from potential diseases and harm that could be caused by tourists.
March 20, 2005 - Antarctic Climber Aims High For 100th Birthday - Chicago Sun Times
Norman Vaughan, a world-class adventurer, wants to spend his 100th birthday climbing the mountain in Antarctica that is named after him. He was part of Admiral Byrd's 1928 expedition and climbed the mountain on his 89th birthday in 1994. (Photo of Norm Vaughan).
March 13, 2005 - International Expedition Flies to Antarctic - Novosti
An international youth group has gone to Antarctica in the name of peace. The team includes members of all former Soviet republics and Chile. A photo will be taken of the team's peace message and will be beamed via satellite and the International Space Station to the internet. (Update on March 21 from Novosti)
March 9, 2005 - Korea To Build Second Base for Antarctic Studies - Korea Times
South Korea is planning to set up a second research station by the end of 2009. They are currently doing feasibility studies.
March 6, 2005 - Marathoner's Record Chase Ends In Antarctica - Boston Globe
65-year old Charles Monahan has been unsuccessful in his bid to run a marathon on all seven continents. He injured his leg while running in Antarctica and was only able to complete half the distance there.

February, 2005

February 9, 2005 - Polar Expedition Returns to Zhongshan Station - Space Daily
A Chinese team has completed a grueling 63-day, 3,078-kilometer trip to explore the highest ice peak in Antarctica and has returned to its home base. The scientists set up an automatic weather station.

January, 2005

January 23, 2005 - Iceberg Crosses Path of A Russian Icebreaker ... - Novositi
A giant iceberg (B-15A) blocked the path of a convoy of ships trying to reach McMurdo, a U.S. station in the Antarctic. The convoy was led by a Russian icebreaker on loan from the Russian government.
January 22, 2005 - Post Office Set Up In Antarctica - China.org
A post office at China's Great Wall Station in Antarctica has been reopened. This is the first time in two decades that mail from China has been delivered to Antarctica.
January 19, 2005 - Chinese Engineer Receives Medical Treatment ... During Antarctic Traverse- NSF - nsf.gov
A Chinese engineer who became ill while traversing East Antarctica has been airlifted by the U.S. to Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station and later to New Zealand for treatment. He is one of the group exploring the highest icecap in Antarctica.This article includes some nice photos.
January 9, 2005 - Polar Record Explorer Returns Home - Scotsman
Craig Mathieson, who recently completed the first Scottish expedition to the South Pole, in spite of injuries, has returned to the UK.
January 7, 2005 - Scientists Excited By Antarctic Air Service - ABC
The first mission has been flown in one of the intra-continental planes that will be supplied by the Australian Antarctic Division. These planes will be used as an airlink between Australia's research stations and should really improve logistics. (See earlier story and photos of the planes by AAD)
January 5, 2005 - UN-Backed Expedition To Sail To Antarctica - Scoop
A two-masted schooner will sail from South America to study the impacts of global warming and environmental change on Antarctica. This is part of the UN Environmental Program (UNEP).

December, 2004

December 23, 2004 - Couple At The Bottom Of The World - Scotsman
A man and wife have succeeded in their bid to be the first English couple to reach the South Pole on an unsupported trek.
December 23, 2004 - UK-Led Team Traces Amundsen's South Pole Route - New Zealand Herald
A 37-day trek to the South Pole, following the route used by Amundsen, has ended successfully. The explorers will continue their trek hoping to cross the continent faster than any previous group.
December 21, 2004 - Russian Ice-breaker Krasin Heading for ... McMurdo - Novosti
The Russians have sent an ice-breaker to assist in the resupply of McMurdo station. Assistance was requested by the U.S. government because one of the U.S. icebreakers is out of commission. The Russian ship is scheduled to join the other U.S. icebreaker around the 10th of January.
December 20, 2004 - School Polar Venturers Back Home - BBC
A teacher and group of students from a small English college have returned safely from their field trip to the South Pole. This was the first "school trip" to the Pole. (Similar story from Skynews)
December 19, 2004 - Australian Scientists Renew Call For Antarctic Air Link - ABC
Australian scientists say that many expeditions are finding it difficult to get to Antarctica and must go via transportation provided by other countries. They feel their government should fund an air link as it benefits from the work done.
December 8, 2004 - Faizabad Scientist Bound For Antarctica Expedition - Times of India
An environmental scientist from Avadh University has left to join the 24th Indian Scientific expedition to Antarctica. This expedition will investigate how organisms have adapted to the recent depletions of the ozone hole.


	Home
	Polar Science
	• PRISM Update
	• Polar Scientists & Explorers: Past & Present
	• Polar News
	• Virtual PRISM

	Design K-12 Polar Lessons
	• Letter of Global Concern
	• Polar Tracks


	Use K-12 Polar Resources
	• Bears on Ice (K-6)
	• Resources:Graphics, Data, K-12 Lessons, Information

	PRISM Publications
	• PRISM Presents
	• Scientific Papers
	• Data
	• PRISM Spectrum

	PRISM Team Only
	• Team Connection


PRISM � 2002, 2003 - is brought to you by
National Science Foundation University of Kansas	NASA	Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation	University of Kansas

Home>Polar News>Antarctic News Archive
			Antarctic News Archive - People, expeditions and governmental issues A collection of older (2004-2005) news items that relate to people, expeditions and pertinent goverment issues in the Antarctic. All links will take you to sites outside of PRISM. Use your back button to return. Return to Archive Topic List December, 2005 December 8, 2005 - Researchers Head For Antarctic - The Australian Australian scientists will leave next week to study the area's marine ecosystem from South Africa to Davis Station. November, 2005 November 28, 2005 - Rubbing Shoulders With Penguins, Climbing Rocks In Antarctica - PUNE Newsline (India) Two Master's level Biodiversity students from Garware college are the first Indian college students in 25 years chosen to accompany a science mission to Antarctica. They will be based at the Indian research station, Maitri. November 20, 2005 - Kansas Researchers Head For Antarctica - SiliconValley.com A team of University of Kansas researchers and students will be leaving soon to study conditions in Antarctica, in an effort to better understand the earth's change in sea levels. This is a team associated with PRISM and CReSIS. November 19, 2005 - He Goes With The Floe - Times Online Lewis Gordon Pugh is preparing for an epic swim in Antarctic waters. He will be assessed by scientist while trying to complete a 1 km swim. November 18, 2005 - Greenpeace To Hunt Japanese Whaling Ships - ABC (Australia) Two Greenpeace ships have announced their intention to interfere with Japanese vessels hunting minke whales in Antarctic waters. November 18, 2005 - Snow Dragon Sets Sail For South Pole - China Daily Chinese scientists have left Shanghai aboard the Xuelong (Snow Dragon), an icebreaker headed for Antarctica. Their purpose is to make deep sea surveys. November 17, 2005 - Climate Scientist Awarded The Kidson Medal - Scoop (Meteorological Society) Climate scientist Doctor Jim Renwick of the National Institute of Water and Atmosphere (NIWA) has been awarded the Kidson medal by the New Zealand's Royal Meteorological Society for his paper on "Southern Hemisphere circulation and relations with sea ice and sea surface temperature" published in 2000. November 10, 2005 - Antarctica Is A Hot Spot For UA Scientists Hunting Meteorites - SpaceDaily Scientists and students from the University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory spend their winter vacations in Antarctica searching for meteorites, because they love to study these rocks from space. A team will be leaving this month for the icy continent. November 4, 2005 - Japanese Vessel to Be Returned for $300,000 - Scoop A Japanese fishing vessel will be returned to the owners upon payment for the vessel as well as punitive fines. This vessel was caught poaching two years ago in protected Antarctic waters and became property of New Zealand. November 4, 2005 - Day Trippers Head For South Pole - Guardian Unlimited Hundreds of Australians will be taking part in a non-stop sightseeing flight over the South Pole. This flight will take place on New Year's Eve. October, 2005 October 31, 2005 - Big Science Adventures for New Zealand Students - Scoop The Royal Society of New Zealand, in partnership with Freemasons New Zealand, is organizing a video challenge for NZ students. The students will produce a 5 minute video documentary on a science topic for the competition. The grand prize winner will travel to Antarctica with the NZ Youth On Ice program to film another documentary. October 25, 2005 - Body Of Missing Argentinian Researcher Found - IOL Authorities said that they have found the body of one of two Argentines missing for more than a month in Antarctica after their snowmobile plunged into a deep ice crevasse. October 25, 2005 - British Antarctic Scientists To Get New Home - Terra Daily British scientists are to get a new mobile research base, to be named the Halley VI Research Station. This station will be located on the Brunt Ice Shelf. October 23, 2005 - Tourism Quota for Antarctic - Guardian Unlimited The body that monitors tourism in the Antarctic is calling for official limits on the number of tourists to protect the continent from environmental damage. October 18, 2005 - Antarctic Expedition To Study Rising Methane Levels - NZ Herald A team of Australian scientists have set out for Antarctica with the aim of collecting ice cores and analyzing the methane trapped in air bubbles within them. Since methane is a serious contributor to global warming, it is important to determine the source of methane in order to determine how much the industrial era has contributed to the change. October 9, 2005 - Exhibition of South Pole Images - BBC Several of Herbert Pontings' photographs taken during Robert Scott's fatal bid for the South Pole are being exhibited at Cambridge. September, 2005 September 30, 2005 - Chilean Troops Die In Antarctica - BBC The bodies of three Chilean officers whose snowmobile fell into a hidden crevasse, have been recovered. The men were trapped for over 30 hours in the crevasse in their crushed snowmobile. This is the second fatal accident in the area. Argentinian researchers were lost in a crevasse on Sept 17 and have not yet been found. September 22, 2005 - No Sign Of Missing Antarctic Duo - BBC Three Argentine army rescuers descended 394 feet into a crevasse that had swallowed up an Argentine researcher and Navy officer two days ago. They were unable to reach the bottom and said the crevasse was like a maze. Bad weather is expected to hamper further efforts. September 21, 2005 - Little Hope For Two Lost in 60m Antarctic Crevasse - The Australian Hopes faded for rescuing two Argentines who fell into a deep crevasse on Saturday, though rescue efforts continued. Three others, working in the same region, were taken out by helicopter on Monday. September 20, 2005 - Are They Alive? Time Running Out ... - National Post Augusto Thibaud, a Argentine biologist, and Teofilo Gonzalez of the Argentine Navy were among five researchers travelling by snowmobile on Saturday between Uruguay's General Artigas base and the Argentine base of Jubany. These men were on the Collins glacier when they plunged into a deep crevasse. The other three were able to avoid the crevasse, but set up camp nearby to await rescue and assistance. Similar story from ABC. September 20, 2005 - Missing Argentine Men Sought in Antarctica - ABC Rescuers have arrived to try to locate and rescue the Argentine biology researcher and the Argentine navy officer whose snowmobile was swallowed up by an unseen crevasse earlier today. The men have not been heard from since their fall into the crevasse. September 1, 2005 - 22nd Antarctic Expedition to Start November - China.org China is set to begin its 22nd annual research expedition to Antarctica in November. The major focus of this expedition will be to collect meteorites in the Grove Mountains as well as research on global warming and ice lakes. August, 2005 August 9, 2005 - ANDRILL Project To Lead U.S. Antarctic Research Efforts - Newswise The National Science Foundation has funded a consortium of five U.S. universities to drill and retrieve rock samples from the seabed in the McMurdo Sound area of the Ross Sea. This will help scientists better understand climate history of the area, which in turn will better inform climate modelers. This effort, headed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northern Illinois University will be a focal point of the International Polar Year (2007-2009). August 8, 2005 - Hesperides To Set Sail To Study Life On Antarctic Ocean Floor - TerraDaily A group of researchers will be working for its second season in the Bellinghausen Sea to study biodiversity in the sea and in the sediment of the ocean floor. This research will use a trawler net and a 50cm X 50cm box-corer for their study. July, 2005 July 22, 2005 - Ice-bound Rescue Mission Recalled - BBC An exhibition detailing Sir Ernest Shackelton's rescue of his men left stranded on Elephant Island has been opened at the National Museum of Ireland. July 21, 2005 - Korea To Spend W70 Billion For Second Antarctic Base - BBC South Korea plans to build a second research base, this one to be sited near the center of Antarctica. Construction will begin in 2008 and will cost about $67 million (U.S.). July 13, 2005 - Time On The Shelf - TerraDaily Robert Bindschadler, a glaciologist with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, talks about being lost on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet for a short period of time. June, 2005 June 9, 2005 - Former Governor Appointed Honorary Antarctic Ambassador - ABC A former Tasmanian governor is again serving the state, this time as honorary Antarctic ambassador.The Tasmanian Government has appointed Sir Guy Green to the position, taking over from Tim Bowden, who has served a three-year term. May, 2005 May 31, 2005 - Antarctica Conference In Sweden To Focus On Environment, Climate Change - Terra Daily Representatives of 50 governments, researchers and experts will meet for a two-week conference in Stockholm to discuss the Antarctic, especially environmental and climate change issues, the Swedish hosts said on Tuesday. May 12, 2005 - Scientists Recruit Deep Seal Divers - Scotsman Elephant seals have been fitted with tiny computers to monitor the ocean temperature and salinity and to trace the migration routes of these mammals. April, 2005 April 12, 2005 - Wanted: Women To Work In Antarctica - MSNBC The British Antarctic Survey is making a concerted effort to recruit more tradeswomen to work at their bases in Antarctica. April 2, 2005 - Ship Returns After Successful Supply Voyage - ABC Australia's Aurora Australis has returned to Hobart after a successful voyage supplying fuel, food and scientific supplies to Australian Antarctic stations. There was some fear the ship would be unable to break through unusually thick ice around Mawson. March, 2005 March 31, 2005 - Antarctic Tourists May Face Tougher Regulations - ABC A plan for regulating tourist travel to Heard and McDonald Islands has been proposed to try to protect plants, seabirds and seals from potential diseases and harm that could be caused by tourists. March 20, 2005 - Antarctic Climber Aims High For 100th Birthday - Chicago Sun Times Norman Vaughan, a world-class adventurer, wants to spend his 100th birthday climbing the mountain in Antarctica that is named after him. He was part of Admiral Byrd's 1928 expedition and climbed the mountain on his 89th birthday in 1994. (Photo of Norm Vaughan). March 13, 2005 - International Expedition Flies to Antarctic - Novosti An international youth group has gone to Antarctica in the name of peace. The team includes members of all former Soviet republics and Chile. A photo will be taken of the team's peace message and will be beamed via satellite and the International Space Station to the internet. (Update on March 21 from Novosti) March 9, 2005 - Korea To Build Second Base for Antarctic Studies - Korea Times South Korea is planning to set up a second research station by the end of 2009. They are currently doing feasibility studies. March 6, 2005 - Marathoner's Record Chase Ends In Antarctica - Boston Globe 65-year old Charles Monahan has been unsuccessful in his bid to run a marathon on all seven continents. He injured his leg while running in Antarctica and was only able to complete half the distance there. February, 2005 February 9, 2005 - Polar Expedition Returns to Zhongshan Station - Space Daily A Chinese team has completed a grueling 63-day, 3,078-kilometer trip to explore the highest ice peak in Antarctica and has returned to its home base. The scientists set up an automatic weather station. January, 2005 January 23, 2005 - Iceberg Crosses Path of A Russian Icebreaker ... - Novositi A giant iceberg (B-15A) blocked the path of a convoy of ships trying to reach McMurdo, a U.S. station in the Antarctic. The convoy was led by a Russian icebreaker on loan from the Russian government. January 22, 2005 - Post Office Set Up In Antarctica - China.org A post office at China's Great Wall Station in Antarctica has been reopened. This is the first time in two decades that mail from China has been delivered to Antarctica. January 19, 2005 - Chinese Engineer Receives Medical Treatment ... During Antarctic Traverse- NSF - nsf.gov A Chinese engineer who became ill while traversing East Antarctica has been airlifted by the U.S. to Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station and later to New Zealand for treatment. He is one of the group exploring the highest icecap in Antarctica.This article includes some nice photos. January 9, 2005 - Polar Record Explorer Returns Home - Scotsman Craig Mathieson, who recently completed the first Scottish expedition to the South Pole, in spite of injuries, has returned to the UK. January 7, 2005 - Scientists Excited By Antarctic Air Service - ABC The first mission has been flown in one of the intra-continental planes that will be supplied by the Australian Antarctic Division. These planes will be used as an airlink between Australia's research stations and should really improve logistics. (See earlier story and photos of the planes by AAD) January 5, 2005 - UN-Backed Expedition To Sail To Antarctica - Scoop A two-masted schooner will sail from South America to study the impacts of global warming and environmental change on Antarctica. This is part of the UN Environmental Program (UNEP). December, 2004 December 23, 2004 - Couple At The Bottom Of The World - Scotsman A man and wife have succeeded in their bid to be the first English couple to reach the South Pole on an unsupported trek. December 23, 2004 - UK-Led Team Traces Amundsen's South Pole Route - New Zealand Herald A 37-day trek to the South Pole, following the route used by Amundsen, has ended successfully. The explorers will continue their trek hoping to cross the continent faster than any previous group. December 21, 2004 - Russian Ice-breaker Krasin Heading for ... McMurdo - Novosti The Russians have sent an ice-breaker to assist in the resupply of McMurdo station. Assistance was requested by the U.S. government because one of the U.S. icebreakers is out of commission. The Russian ship is scheduled to join the other U.S. icebreaker around the 10th of January. December 20, 2004 - School Polar Venturers Back Home - BBC A teacher and group of students from a small English college have returned safely from their field trip to the South Pole. This was the first "school trip" to the Pole. (Similar story from Skynews) December 19, 2004 - Australian Scientists Renew Call For Antarctic Air Link - ABC Australian scientists say that many expeditions are finding it difficult to get to Antarctica and must go via transportation provided by other countries. They feel their government should fund an air link as it benefits from the work done. December 8, 2004 - Faizabad Scientist Bound For Antarctica Expedition - Times of India An environmental scientist from Avadh University has left to join the 24th Indian Scientific expedition to Antarctica. This expedition will investigate how organisms have adapted to the recent depletions of the ozone hole.