Mawson's Tragedy Stalled Antarctic Research as Ice Melts
Researchers are highlighting the vulnerability of the Wilkes Subglacial Basin in East Antarctica, which holds enough ice to raise global sea levels by several meters. The region is increasingly threatened by warming ocean temperatures and changing currents.
Why it matters
Understanding the stability of this basin is critical for predicting the pace of global sea-level rise and climate change impacts.
Over a century ago, Australian geologist Sir Douglas Mawson led a sledging expedition over hundreds of kilometres of ice into a remote part of East Antarctica. The party turned back after the tragic death of a party member. Fellow Australian Cecil Madigan led another group across sea ice into the region before also turning back.
Professor of Polar Geodesy and ARC Laureate Fellow, University of Tasmania
Professor of Earth Sciences, Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington; Earth Sciences New Zealand
These intrepid explorers never set foot on an ice sheet which may be crucial to our future. Even now, we don't know anyone who's been there. It's time to change that.
This remote region is known as the Wilkes Subglacial Basin, an enormous area of ice covering 1,400 kilometres by 400 kilometres.
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