Toni and Janie's Blog

17th posting on Jan. 20, 2014 ..... Back to the welcome page and listings for other links

Happy Monday! We know what day it is because they put a rug in the elevators that tells you. We have another OMG morning with huge glaciers and icebergs and extremely high mts along the channels along the west Antarctic peninsula. Sailed thru the Maire channel which was discovered by a Dutch explorer in the late 1800's. Because of the giants dramatic cliffs on both sides it is often called the Kodak channel. Seas were heavy last nite (our hearts were heavy too cause of the Niners loss). Wind today is 55 mph--can barely get our deck door open. And it is verrrryyyyy cold.

We have a bunch of crew from the US Palmer Research station. Went to a lecture by them this morning. Love all the info: FACTOIDS: South Pole altitude is 9300 ft; it is at 90 degrees south and they have to measure the exact spot yearly because the ice moves about 20 ft per year.
80% of the meteorites in the world are found in Antarctica---why? Because they are easy to find/see (black against the white). The South Pole has one sunset (March) and one sunrise (Sept) per year. Researchers are using satellites to track & count penguins. Adelie penguins decline in #s, gentoo and chinstraps are holding steady.

Some of the interesting research projects by US group include chemical ecology---studying poisons & other toxics that the algae and sponges produce to protect themselves down here. Scientists have found that these substances are effective as anti-malarials and in fighting skin cancers. For researchers health issues, the physicians use telemedicine & connect with the University of Texas.

Go to this web site if you want to know more about our Antarctic research and see some fantastic photos.: http://www.usap.gov

Off to eat lunch and look for whales. Xoxoxo. J & T

Our email address is janie8500@gmail.com. Feel free to drop a note and say hello anytime!