ANTARCTIC WONDERS. 29 July 1920. “The South Pole was passing through a period of intense glaciation. There had been several ice ages, according to geological records, and there is no doubt we were now living in a warm period.”
ANTARCTIC WONDERS. (1920, July 29). The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), p. 8. Retrieved February 25, 2020, from https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/37526753?searchTerm=antarctic%20warmer&searchLimits=#
His Excellency the Governor and Lady Weigall attended the second of the University extension lectures of Sir Douglas Mawson on “The ice-clad continent,” at the University on Tuesday
night.
The lecturer said Antarctica was “a great heat engine.” On the Ross Sea side the climate was a little better than on the other side. On the coast there were signs of rocks, but in the interior
there was nothing but snow and ice.
The South Pole was passing through a period of intense glaciation.
There had been several ice ages, according to geological records, and there is no doubt we were
now living in a warm period.
Periods of warm temperatures had occurred at the Poles and the South Polar ice had a great
effect on the temperature of the earth, and in particular those lands nearest to it.
Records taken in South America had conclusively proved that there was a really definite relationship between its atmospheric conditions and those of Antarctic.
By making a close study of such conditions it was possible to make rainfall predictions twelve months ahead.
The records in Australia were not nearly so advanced, but a comprehensive survey of Antarctic meteorological conditions would be of great benefit to Australia.
Sir Douglas explained the process of the inflow of the warm air from the Equatorial belt toward the Poles, and its cooling.
He also dealt with the ice format
on. His description of the formation of sea ice was specially interesting. He said there was always a ring of pack ice round the continent, and that in the
coastal zones the ice was much broken.
At a distance of 70 to 100 miles inland the ice was practically solid, and there were few irregularities.
The lecture was illustrated with tine lantern slides, which were much enjoyed.
The next lecture will deal with the life of the frozen south- ern regions.