EXPEDITION OF LATVIAN
GEOLOGISTS TO ANTARCTICA
GEOLOGISTS TO ANTARCTICA
Latvian geologists went on an expedition to Antarctica in order to research glaciers and to continue further development of the polar research area in Latvia. This is the first expedition of Latvian researchers to Antarctica.
The team of the expedition is composed of lecturers and researchers from the Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences of the University of Latvia Kristaps Lamsters, Jānis Karušs and Māris Krievāns.
The team in its current composition has already been on three expeditions, researching glaciers in Iceland and Greenland. The Vernadsky Research Base, which is owned by Ukraine and is located on Galindez Island near the Antarctic Peninsula, will serve as the research base of this year’s expedition.
Antarctica – the fifth largest continent consisting of ice
The first documented landing on Antarctica was recorded only around 1820. Until the present day a large part of the Antarctic continent has not yet been researched. Researchers and adventurers are still the only visitors of Antarctica. Traditionally there are about 1000 people residing in Antarctica and working at the research bases there. The Antarctic ice sheet covers about 98 % of the continent and its maximum thickness reaches up to 4.7 kilometres.
How does Latvia benefit from the Antarctica expeditions?
The goal of the team on the expedition is to take measurements of thickness and the internal structure of the glaciers at the Antarctic Peninsula and the surrounding islands, as well as to develop 3D models for further research projects. Researchers plan to study the micro-organisms inhibiting glaciers and soil formation processes, as well as the conditions for the formation of rocks and sediments.
We can be proud that Latvian researchers are involved in research projects of transnational significance and the research of a largely unexplored region. The work of our researchers will contribute to expanding the knowledge of Latvian and foreign researchers about contemporary processes and glacier dynamics in the surroundings of the Antarctic Peninsula. Scientific research in Antarctica will strengthen public awareness about global climate change and the impact of melting glaciers.
The team of the expedition is composed of lecturers and researchers from the Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences of the University of Latvia Kristaps Lamsters, Jānis Karušs and Māris Krievāns.
The team in its current composition has already been on three expeditions, researching glaciers in Iceland and Greenland. The Vernadsky Research Base, which is owned by Ukraine and is located on Galindez Island near the Antarctic Peninsula, will serve as the research base of this year’s expedition.
Antarctica – the fifth largest continent consisting of ice
The first documented landing on Antarctica was recorded only around 1820. Until the present day a large part of the Antarctic continent has not yet been researched. Researchers and adventurers are still the only visitors of Antarctica. Traditionally there are about 1000 people residing in Antarctica and working at the research bases there. The Antarctic ice sheet covers about 98 % of the continent and its maximum thickness reaches up to 4.7 kilometres.
How does Latvia benefit from the Antarctica expeditions?
The goal of the team on the expedition is to take measurements of thickness and the internal structure of the glaciers at the Antarctic Peninsula and the surrounding islands, as well as to develop 3D models for further research projects. Researchers plan to study the micro-organisms inhibiting glaciers and soil formation processes, as well as the conditions for the formation of rocks and sediments.
We can be proud that Latvian researchers are involved in research projects of transnational significance and the research of a largely unexplored region. The work of our researchers will contribute to expanding the knowledge of Latvian and foreign researchers about contemporary processes and glacier dynamics in the surroundings of the Antarctic Peninsula. Scientific research in Antarctica will strengthen public awareness about global climate change and the impact of melting glaciers.
