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On 12^th April 2009, The Independent ran a story – Hilary Clinton urges Tougher Controls on South Pole Tourists

It is a fact that Antarctic tourism is becoming increasing popular and although there have been incidents where boats have hit trouble in the icy, treacherous terrain, there is no indication however that tourism is in any way detrimental to the region – So, it begs the question, could there be another reason/s why “the powers that be” want to keep people away from the area at this point in time?

There are a few very interesting possibilities.

Background

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The Antarctic has not always been covered by ice; scientific analysis indicates that around 40 million years ago, the Antarctic was part of a large, lush and temperate continent, known as Gondwanaland, a “supercontinent” which incorporated South America, Africa, Australia and India.

Fossil records of ostracods (a type of small seed shrimp which survived the environment up until around 14 million years ago), corals, shark teeth, water reptiles, leaves, wood and even intact tree trunks confirm that the Antarctic was once warm, hospitable and teeming with life and potentially unknown human civilisation.

In 2008, subsurface surveys surprised scientists when the results revealed evidence that a mountain range, of a similar size to the Alps, lay beneath approximately 4km of ice and snow.

Of most interest are the liquid lakes which are known to exist deep below the ice cap.

Mysterious Lake Vostock

image source: a space radar picture of the lake with a cross-section diagram

Lake Vostock, at 250 x 50 km in area and up to 2600 feet deep, is the largest of these liquid sub-glacial lakes. The fresh water is sealed within a bubble of highly concentrated oxygen beneath a 3km thick layer of ice, a unique environment, which has been isolated, totally untouched by any external environmental factors for millions of years.

The diagram above, indicates the depth that the Russians are reported to have drilled to. Traditional drilling methods to attain ice samples involved a drill bit, lubricated with large amounts of kerosene and anti-freeze. If the drill punctured into the lake water, any ensuing samples would therefore be fundamentally contaminated.

However, lake ice samples even at this depth, revealed bizarre and unique bacteria.

In 1999, John C. Priscu of Montana State University studied ice found at a depth of around 3600 metres and commented as follows “Our research shows us that the microbial world has few limits on our planet, Lake Vostock is one of the last unexplored oases for life”.

On 07^th March 09, The Independent reported that clean technology, designed by NASA for gathering samples in space (on Jupiter’s moon – Europa) was in place to begin drilling into the lake water.

Could the Secretary of State’s concern for tourists in Antarctica be borne from a desire to prevent contamination from “alien“ bacteria / microbes at a time when the sub-glacial bubble is burst? Is there any evidence of danger?

On 23^rd April 2001, there was controversy, when in such a cold sterile environment, after intensive health screening and quarantine measures – an unprecedented outbreak of an undisclosed but life threatening condition, meant that 11 members of the American McMurdo research base had to be rescued in a daring mission, braving temperatures of -96 degrees.

At the same time one other member from the American Amundsen Scott research base (several hundred miles away) also had to be rescued.

It wasn’t only the humans who were coming down with mystery illnesses, it was the wildlife too. In December 2001, a mysterious illness began to kill off hundreds of penguins near to the Australian Mawson base .

To add fuel to rumours that something very unusual was going on in Antarctica – On 24^th January 2001 a press release confirmed that the NSA – National Security Agency was to assume full control of the International scientific exploration of Lake Vostock.

Magnetic Anomaly

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In 2001, a team of Scientists from Columbia University carrying out a survey over Lake Vostock discovered a massive magnetic anomaly over the South West corner of Lake Vostock.

Michael Studinger, who helped to carry out the survey, noted “This anomaly is so large that it cannot be the product of a daily change in the magnetic field”

The cause of the anomaly has inspired many theories – most widely accepted is that there is a thinning of the earth’s crust in this area beneath the lake – proximity of magnetic, gas producing rock and lava would explain the results.

Presence of such gasses would make the imminent drilling research extremely risky – with either the danger of immediate explosion or the potential to release of huge amounts of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere – causing further drastic climate change. (We have to rely upon open and honest reporting to know that no nation has already punctured this bubble up to now!)

Others have hypothesised that the anomaly could be the result of a decaying ancient advanced civilisations energy source – possibly marking the site of the elusive city of Atlantis – or, equipment not even human in origin (as the area is a hot-bed for UFO sightings).

Any of these explanations could explain both the presence of the NSA and the reluctance to allow scores of tourists to wander around, when they could unwittingly be in danger (infection or explosion) or may witness government classified secrets.

Fight for Natural Resources

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Although a treaty was signed in 1959 by the Governments of Argentina, Belgium, France, Chile, South Africa, Japan, Norway, New Zealand, USSR, UK, USA and Australia, to co-operate in gathering scientific data whilst recognising the ecological importance of Antarctica, and to keep the area free of conflict – make no mistake that behind the scenes, fights are raging as countries vie for ownership of areas of interest and the treaty is outdated and tenuous!

In the 1950’s, prior to significant scientific study, Antarctica was seen as a barren wasteland – devoid of anything of capitalist value. A lot has changed since then! In light of the understanding of Antarctica’s lush green origins and further to preliminary oil speculator investigations, it is estimated that are over 200 billion barrels of oil beneath the ice sheet – It is just a question of when it will be located and what the cost of extraction will be (and possibly dependent upon the price per barrel of oil – which may have to be pre-elevated to make the extraction feasible).

As an example of the current unrest regarding ownership – (ownership currently comprised of countries who have laid claim to areas and territories or the right to claims to areas in the future – subject to UN approval) in 2009, the UK claimed mineral rights to an Antarctic seabed territory, potentially rich in gas and oil – Chile and Argentina banded together to fight the claim. Renan Fuentealba, a Chilean MP stated, “We refuse point blank the pretensions of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of widening their original claims signalled within the Antarctica Treaty and giving them more territory. That is not allowed by the current treaty.”

Antarctica is hot property – the current treaty / claims system is no longer adequate, numerous countries are circling, ready to swoop in to take what they want, it is only a matter of time before trouble erupts – which may be one more reason why Hilary Clinton wants the number of civilians in the area.

Shearing Ice Shelves

Ice shelf image by chapwalker79 on Photobucket

Antarctica is changing, in April 2009 the Wilkins ice shelf, measuring 14000 square km sheared – it has been cited as evidence of “global warming” – maybe there is another explanation….

Because of the environmental conditions, geological investigations are difficult, however, many have theorised that there are active volcano’s/fault-lines below the frozen continent.

In January 2009, Researchers from the British Antarctic Survey have found evidence ash and debris which they conclude is evidence of recent sub-glacial volcanic eruption – which could explain localised warming.

“This is the first time we have seen a volcano beneath the ice sheet punch a hole through the ice sheet.” Dr Vaughan – British Antarctic Survey

Pine Island Glacier, containing 30 trillion litres of water is currently under investigation as it appears to be melting at a faster rate than other Arctic ice – the inconsistency in Antarctic temperature could indicate specific volcanic events, rather than “global warming theories”

It is also worthy of note that some research being carried out in Antarctica involves the use of explosive devices – one such report highlights the use of eight such explosions in a seismic refraction and gravity survey.

Unpredictable volcanic activity – being passed off as global warming would be another motive to keep tourists away!

Another Four Antarctic Controversies

Whilst researching, I have come across a number of interesting irresistible links to Antarctica – I have just put a brief description with links for further information.

1. Mysterious Death
   

   

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   Mysterious Death – In May 2000 (around the time that samples were being taken from around Lake Vostock), an Australian astrophysicist Dr Marks, died at the age of 32 whilst based at US Amundsen-Scott base. It has still not been ascertained whether the death was a result of foul play or a tragic accident. The coroner’s report concluded that the death was a result of acute methanol poisoning.

   The New Zealand police attempted to resolve the circumstances around the death but found that individuals working with Dr Mark were far from co-operative, Detective Wormald commented “Despite numerous requests, I am not entirely satisfied that all relevant information and reports have been disclosed to the New Zealand police or the coroner.” 

   Subsequent investigations have revealed that the base was linked with substance abuse but the case remains unresolved.

2. Piri Reis Map
   

   

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   It is impossible to ignore the Piri Reis Map in any discussion regarding Antarctica.

   This mysterious map was compiled in 1513 by a Turkish Admiral – using ancient maps – sources now lost – which many claim to be an accurate aerial view of Antarctica – without ice!

   To accept this map as genuine would be to either accept an unknown, highly advanced ancient civilisation or an alternative history regarding the age of the Antarctica ice cap – both of which would mean re-writing the history books. Hence, the map has been discredited – stating that similarities to Antarctica are co-incidental.

3. Secret Nazi Bases
   

   There is a long running theory that at the end of the second world-war, many high raking German soldiers and scientists retreated to a top secret research basein Antarctica.

4. Atlantis Link
   

   

   Mysteries of Antarctica

   Aerial images of Antarctica reveal a circular anomaly (shown above) which is similar to Plato’s description of the elusive city of Atlantis.

Conclusion

Keep your eyes on the news for any reports regarding Antarctica – the next decade is going to be extremely interesting.