Kuli South Georgia Expedition
Oct 06
#1: South Georgia Bound
Published at 13:00
Members of the University of Maine's Climate Change Institute are embarking on a quest to put together a puzzle whose pieces are disappearing before our very eyes.
We are heading to South Georgia Island, a windswept former whaling station in the icy reaches of the South Atlantic, to expose the true reasons behind the recent extreme variations in the Southern Hemisphere’s climate. Our goal is to uncover weather patterns from centuries ago by burrowing deep into South Georgia's glaciers. The information hidden in the ice will allow scientists to paint a more accurate picture of how climate will change in the coming decades – and warn people how they must prepare.
We will sail more than 800 nautical miles over unpredictable seas to reach the island. We will examine the ice record to gain data on ancient weather patterns -- the pieces to our climate puzzle.
It is either now or never: Rising global temperatures are causing South Georgia’s glaciers to melt, destroying the pieces that are necessary to complete the picture.
Our journey will involve days at sea, trekking on sheer ice, and camping out in subzero temperatures. We will encounter king penguins, elephant seals and right whales. We will retrace the steps of Polar exploration giants such as Ernest Shackleton. And we will come in close contact with scientists who have devoted their lives to understanding climate in the most remote spots of the globe.
Today, October 6, we are waiting to depart from the Falkland Islands on a boat known as the Pelagic Australis. We invite you to follow our adventures on the ExpeNews site, which will be reported by text messages sent by an Iridium satellite phone. This means each entry will be short, incisive and audacious. Happy reading!
We are heading to South Georgia Island, a windswept former whaling station in the icy reaches of the South Atlantic, to expose the true reasons behind the recent extreme variations in the Southern Hemisphere’s climate. Our goal is to uncover weather patterns from centuries ago by burrowing deep into South Georgia's glaciers. The information hidden in the ice will allow scientists to paint a more accurate picture of how climate will change in the coming decades – and warn people how they must prepare.
We will sail more than 800 nautical miles over unpredictable seas to reach the island. We will examine the ice record to gain data on ancient weather patterns -- the pieces to our climate puzzle.
It is either now or never: Rising global temperatures are causing South Georgia’s glaciers to melt, destroying the pieces that are necessary to complete the picture.
Our journey will involve days at sea, trekking on sheer ice, and camping out in subzero temperatures. We will encounter king penguins, elephant seals and right whales. We will retrace the steps of Polar exploration giants such as Ernest Shackleton. And we will come in close contact with scientists who have devoted their lives to understanding climate in the most remote spots of the globe.
Today, October 6, we are waiting to depart from the Falkland Islands on a boat known as the Pelagic Australis. We invite you to follow our adventures on the ExpeNews site, which will be reported by text messages sent by an Iridium satellite phone. This means each entry will be short, incisive and audacious. Happy reading!
- Name: Stanley, Falkland Islands
- Elevation: 0 m
- Latitude: 51° 42’ 0” South
- Longitude: 57° 49’ 60” West
Stained Glass in Christ Church Cathedral, Stanley
Land's Edge in West Falkland
The Falkland Islands Company, which once owned nearly all the land on the islands.
Christ Church Cathedral, the world's southernmost Anglican church (built in 1892)
Men at the wheel on the Pelagic Australis
Port of Stanley - Container Row
Alex Kuli Sr. says goodbye to the Falklands
The Pelagic Australis crew setting sail for South Georgia
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