When people think of Antarctica, many think of barren land where no one would dare to go, and sub-zero temperatures.

Actually, Antarctica is full of activity. Over 30 countries have bases there, including the United States. U.S. scientists conduct several research projects in Antarctica, including studies in physics, meterology, and geology.

NIU geology professor Jonathan Berg, and Beiqing Wu, an NIU graduate student in geology, went to Antarctica in mid-December on a five-week research expedition.

Berg received a grant from the National Science Foundation to study the minerals found deep in the earth. Previously, the deepest drill hole in that area was 12 kilometers deep, dug by the USSR. Berg and Wu, however, obtained samples from 90 kilometers into the earth.

By obtaining and studying these samples, Berg discovered that a large part of the earth’s lower crust is missing under Antarctica. About 20 kilometers of rock is dislodged into the earth’s mantle, which is an important discovery, because it affects the theory of the earth’s evolution. The old assumption was that the earth’s crust stays at the surface, but Berg’s findings show that parts of the crust can be recycled into the mantle.

Riding an icebreaker, Berg and Wu visited the Bellany Islands, which are the least visited islands on earth. Discovered in 1839, these three islands are surrounded by packed ice.

The islands are “very inhospitable…very inaccessible,” said Berg.

In fact, only two of the three islands had ever been visited before Berg and Wu arrived. They, however, made it onto Sturge, the third island—the first humans ever to set foot on it. Berg took lava samples, and the chemistry of the lava will tell him about the mantle below Sturge.

Berg said there are environmental concerns about Antarctica. Many people believe Antarctica is the last pristine place on earth, but there are concerns about the effects petroleum and mining exploration have on it. In fact, a document of guidelines has been issued for exploration in Antarctica because of the fear of exploitation in that area.

Australia, however, rejected this document and wants to make Antarctica a world park, which would ban all mineral research studies.

Berg is concerned about that idea, because he feels Antarctica is valuable for research.

Berg said tourism is also a concern for Antarctica because it is a “fragile” environment. It has an interesting ecology, made up of whales, penguins, seals, and other wildlife, but the food chain is also “fragile,” Berg said.

Tourism disrupts this wildlife, creates potential pollution problems, and tourists have been seen harassing the animals, Berg said.

“If you mess something up, you affect the whole system,” Berg said.

As for the weather in Antarctica, on the mainland, Berg said it was clear and the average temperature was 30 F at sea level, although at higher altitudes it does get colder. Bellany Islands were 32 F and foggy, which made it difficult to for helicopters to operate.

Berg has traveled to Antarctica before and his findings are important for studying the earth’s evolution. He feels Antarctica shouldn’t be exploited, and scientists can learn many things about the earth by studying this wondrous land.