Oleg, ZS1ANF will be active as ZS7ANF from Antarctica until February 2025.
He will operate on 40 - 10m Bands.
Recent DX Spots ZS7ANF
QTH - Wolfs Fang Runway.
QSL via RK1PWA.
Ads for direct QSL:
Club station, P.O. Box 73, 164744, Amderma, Arkhangelskaya obl., Russia.
or via DL5EBE.
The southern ice cap of the planet - amazing Antarctica
Antarctica is the most amazing continent on our planet, with the Earth's South Pole almost at its very center. Despite dozens of research stations scattered across its territory, it is not just understudied, but frankly little. This huge piece of rock, covered with icy desert, seemingly completely lifeless, holds many mysteries. And he also owns several records: here is the largest crater on the planet, the smallest population density, all time zones are present, the lowest temperature (the registered value is minus 89 degrees Celsius).
What is the difference between Antarctica and Antarctica?
Antarctica is a continent that is 99% hidden under a kilometer layer of ice. It is located in Antarctica or the planet's south polar region, which in addition to the mainland includes nearby islands in the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Wolfs Fang Runway, Antarctica.
Climate of Antarctica
This part of the world is indiscriminately cold. The air temperature almost never rises above minus 20 °C. For this reason, it makes no sense to divide the weather into “minus” and “plus”. Polar explorers simply say “temperature thirty” and that “below zero” is a matter of course.
In July 1983 at the Soviet station “Vostok” (it was and remains the only intra-continental NIS on the continent) was recorded the absolute minimum temperature on Earth - minus 89.2 degrees. The average winter temperature here varies between minus 60 and minus 75 degrees, on some days dropping to minus 80 degrees. On the coast, the temperature is not as killer as inland. Depending on the area, it ranges from minus 8 to minus 35 degrees.
The summer temperature in the inner regions of Antarctica varies from minus 30 to minus 50 degrees, and on the coast it is already approaching quite “comfortable” for a person minus 5 degrees. It is at this time that the continent becomes suitable for visiting by ordinary tourists.
Since we are talking about the Southern Hemisphere, winter and summer change places here from our point of view. Summer falls in September-February, and winter in March-August. The polar day, when the sun shines constantly and does not hide behind the horizon (peak in December-January), and the polar night, when it is pitch black and the sun does not rise above the horizon at all.
Antarctica. Author - Daniel Enchev.
What is interesting about Antarctica?
This is where they test equipment, devices, and techniques, which are then used in space research. After all, the atmospheric and temperature conditions of this continent are close to extraterrestrial conditions, thanks to which it is possible to simulate a flight to a distant planet very realistically. Mobile modular stations and rovers before going to Mars were tested in Antarctica.
But the main interest is in the animals and plants living here (rare and those that can be seen only here), as well as no less rare minerals, which have yet to be reached through the thick ice shell.
Who owns Antarctica
The territory of this continent does not belong to any country in the world, although during the signing of the Antarctica Treaty in 1998 (valid until 2048) territorial claims were put forward by England, New Zealand, Australia, Norway, France, Chile, Argentina - a total of 7 states. But now there are new claimants who build research stations and actively finance historical and scientific research. China and Russia are the first among them.
What lies beneath the ice shell of Antarctica?
Under the ice cover 2.5-4 kilometers thick, numerous islands and the mainland itself are hidden. The ice covers almost the entire surface of the land and the water between the islands, leaving about 1% free. It contains 90% of all ice reserves on our planet.
But thanks to global warming, even this unimaginable ice sheet is gradually melting. And from it regularly break off icebergs of various sizes, from small to huge. The largest of those that were recorded, proudly sailed from Antarctic shores in 1960. Its area of over 9 thousand square kilometers broke all previous and subsequent records.
The weight of the ice cover is so huge that under it the surface of the continent sagged by 500 meters. Under the glacier Byrd scientists found a place considered the deepest depression on Earth - its depth is 2780 meters.
Another mystery waiting to be solved is Lake Vostok, named after the nearby NIS. The thickness of ice above it is about 4 kilometers, but the water is still in an unfrozen state, although the pressure there is at least 300 atmospheres. Scientists hope to discover in such extreme conditions life, radically different from the rest of the flora / fauna of the Earth and endowed with truly unique qualities. After all, this lake has been in isolation for many millions of years.
Antarctica. Author - Demosthenes1971.
What would happen if all the ice in Antarctica melted?
If this really happens, the level of the world's oceans across the Earth will become higher by almost 60 meters (the situation has been repeatedly simulated on the computer). For the planet and mankind, the release of such a volume of water would be a real cataclysm. Many cities and towns (Sydney, St. Petersburg, New York, London and others), as well as significant coastal areas of Denmark, Holland, China and other countries will go under water.
As for Antarctica, freed from the ice cap, it will turn from a large continent into a small continent and a vast archipelago, which will include thousands of islands of different sizes. Its total land surface will shrink considerably.
Today, Antarctica reveals its secrets gradually. The ice is slowly melting, releasing the mainland land. Already now there is a tundra area, and the time is not far off when trees will start to grow (first dwarf trees, then regular ones). And along with the plants, the number of animals living on the southernmost continent will begin to increase.
Antarctica. Author - Ui.
Who lives in Antarctica?
Although the climate here is very, very harsh, there are still plants and animals, and even quite diverse. Many of them are unique or endemic, that is, found only in this region. Almost all of them are concentrated in the coastal strip and in the water, and aquatic inhabitants are in the majority. First of all, they are numerous cetaceans (sperm whales and whales of different species), seals (sea elephants and leopards, crab-eaters) and birds, from the symbol of Antarctica penguin (Emperor penguin, Adelie penguin) to terns, skuas, petrels. There are far fewer plants than animals - only fungi, lichens, mosses, and very rarely ferns.
There are very few people living in this eternal kingdom of the Snow Queen, as it is extremely difficult to survive here. From 1000-1200 in winter to 4000-4500 in summer.
What was Antarctica like in the distant past?
Many millions of years ago, it was part of Gondwana (a super continent), and it was a true tropic. The rainforests were home to ancient mammals and birds, along with dinosaurs.
INTERESTING. To get the 8-meter-long skeleton of Cryolosaurus out of ice captivity, scientists had to blow up the entire ice block and then reassemble the skeleton from the far-flung parts.
Tourism in Antarctica
Travelers from all over the world have long been attracted by the mysteries and beauty of the icy continent. The most determined conquer the South Pole, the rest are content with ski expeditions, extreme trekking, and most - cruises. Opportunities depend on the season, although all tourists come here exclusively in the summer, that is, from November to March. Cruises are made on ice-type expedition ships. They bring lovers of serious adventure to the coastal areas. The smaller the vessel, the more opportunities for landing on the shore. By the way, it is forbidden to land more than 100 people at a time, and in general, the tourist flow is very limited. Tourists live at research stations, there are no hotels in Antarctica.
You can get to the South Pole only in the “warmest” months - December, January - by airplane or first by air and then on skis. And for such a trip you will have to shell out a small fortune.
