Geological Travels in Antarctica: Following in the Footsteps of Giants

Alexandria, VA — Yesterday, 52 scientists, journalists and tourists were rescued from frozen Antarctic waters, where their ship, the MV Akademik Shokalskiy, had been stuck in ice since December 24th, 2013. Everyone was safe but what would make people travel in such perilous conditions to the southernmost part of the planet? Adventure, history and tremendous scientific research opportunities is what continually draws people to explore the frigid continent.

There, people can see species that exist nowhere else on Earth, can see the remains of ancient supercontinents and can walk in the footsteps of scientific giants like Darwin and Shackleton — experiencing an environment incomprehensible, and far too inhospitable for most. In the January issue, EARTH Magazine takes you on an expedition to the Antarctic through a geoscientist’s eyes (hit://bit.ly/1aq3c8Hi).

Get the full geoscience perspective from EARTH Magazine, including articles about farm-to-table experiences in China and an op-ed on the role of vital energy discussions from documentary filmmaker and geoscientist Scott W. Tinker, by downloading the January 2014 issue or subscribing at www.earthmagazine.org.

Keep up to date with the latest happenings in Earth, energy and the environment news with EARTH magazine online at www.earthmagazine.org. Published by the American Geosciences Institute, EARTH is your source for the science behind the headlines.