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!