Lec2: Race for the Pole

Question 1

State the period of the Heroic Age.

Answer 1

1895-1922

Question 2

Give Significant Dates and the corresponding names of Explorer and Expedition (where appropriate).

Answer 2

1872: HMS Challenger
1895: Cruise of the Atlantic - Henrik Johann Bull + Carsten Borchgrevink
1898: Adrian De Gerlache
1898: British Antarctic (Southern Cross) Expedition - Carsten Borchgrevink
1901: British National Antarctic Expedition - Rob ert Falcon Scott
1907: British Antarctic Expedition - Ernest Shackleton
1910: “Race for the Pole”

Question 3

Who launched the Heroic Age?

Answer 3

Sir Clements Markham

Question 4

What was the achievement of the HMS challenger?

Answer 4

1. Wealth of scientific data

2. Rocks inside Antarctic circle suggest continent exists

Question 5

What was the Cruise of the Antarctic’s accomplishment?

Answer 5

1. First RECORDED continental landing (after John Davis!)

2. Borchgrevink found lichen (vegetation South of Antarctic circle!)

Question 6

What was Adrian De Gerlache’s accomplishment?

Answer 6

Overwintered when trapped in Pack Ice in Antarctic Peninsuala

Question 7

Southern Cross Expedition accomplishment?

Answer 7

1. First mainland overwintering (Cape Adare)
2. First Dog use
3. First Landing on Ross Ice Shelf/Great Ice Barrier (furthest South)

Question 8

What were the 3 ships used in each of Britian’s 3 expeditions?

Answer 8

1. Scott (BNAE) - Discovery
2. Shackleton (BAE) - Nimrod
3. Scott returns - Terra Nova

Question 9

What transport did Scott use in his first expedition?

Answer 9

Dogs and manhauling

Question 10

What transport did Shackleton use in his expedition?

Answer 10

Ponies and walking (instead of dogs + skis)

Question 11

When was the first motor car taken south?

Answer 11

Ernest Shackleton’s expedition in 1907

Question 12

What were Edgeworth David’s achievements during the BAE?

Answer 12

1. Climbed Mt. Erebus

2. Found Magnetic South Pole

Question 13

What were the three subexpeditions on Scott’s return to Antarctica?

Answer 13

1. Northern Party
2. Midwinter Party
3. Inland South Pole Party - “Race”

Question 14

Northern Party achievements?

Answer 14

1. Studied Adelie penguins

2. Geological specimens

Question 15

Midwinter Party achievements?

Answer 15

Collect Emperor Penguin Eggs at Cape Adare to try find evolutionary link between reptiles and birds.

Question 16

Where did ISPP build their hut?

Answer 16

Cape Evans

Question 17

What transport did ISPP use?

Answer 17

Ponies + motor sledges (dogs for support).

* Eventually sent dogs back and manhauled.

Question 18

How many days of bad weather did ISPP allow?

Answer 18

4 total

Question 19

From which depot and how far were the ISPP stopped by a blizzard?

Answer 19

18km short of One Ton Depot

Question 20

Over how many days did ISPP collect how many kilograms of rocks?

Answer 20

16kg over 2 days

Question 21

What were Scott’s scientific findings from second expedition?

Answer 21

1. 2109 animal specimens (401 new)

2. Climate data, meteorites, Emperor Penguin Eggs

Question 22

What was the name of Roald Amundsen’s ship?

Answer 22

Fram (forward)

Question 23

How many days of bad weather did Admundsen allow?

Answer 23

1 in 4

Question 24

Where was Admundsen’s base located (compare this to Scott’s)?

Answer 24

Bay of Whales (97km closer to pole than Cape Evans).

Question 25

What did Admundsen name the plain at the South Pole?

Answer 25

King Haakan VII’s Plateau

Question 26

Compare Admundsens race to Scott’s in terms of transport, daily travel, supplies, days taken to reach pole.

Answer 26

1. Used only and much more dogs (and skis)
2. Travelled more distance daily
3. More supplies
4. Reached pole almost twice as fast