Australia's involvement in exploring Antarctica
Australia’s involvement in Antarctic exploration dates from the 1911–14 Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) led by Douglas Mawson, the first Australian-led expedition. This was followed by the British Australia New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition (BANZARE) of 1929–31.
Mawson claimed British sovereignty over Antarctic territories in 1930 and 1931. The consequent Australian Antarctic Territory Acceptance Act 1933 came into effect from 24 August 1936, and established the area we now know as the Australian Antarctic Territory. The Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) established a sub-Antarctic station at Heard Island in 1947, and Macquarie Island in 1948. Mawson Station, on the Antarctic continent, was established in 1954.
Antarctic researchResearch by ANARE began in 1947 into areas such as Antarctic weather, upper atmosphere physics and glaciology. International cooperation on scientific research in Antarctica during the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957 led to the 1959 Antarctic Treaty. The treaty provided for complete freedom of scientific research in Antarctica, for conservation of wildlife and the prohibition of military activity, nuclear testing and disposal of radioactive waste.
Today the Australian Antarctic Division carries out research into physical and life sciences in the atmospheric, terrestrial and marine domains, as well as human biology and medical research. It is also responsible for ongoing observational activities, including meteorology, seismic, magnetic and GPS networks, charting and mapping.
The Australian Antarctic DivisionThe principal agency with responsibility for the Commonwealth Government’s Antarctic initiatives – the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) – began as a section within the Department of External Affairs in May 1948. Upgraded to a division within a month, it remained within External Affairs until 1968. Since then it has been located within departments responsible for science/environment functions. The AAD head office has been in Hobart since 1981. The AAD has worked in collaboration with a range of agencies including the Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics; the former Division of National Mapping; Bureau of Meteorology; CSIRO; Department of Air; and the Army.
Records relating to Antarctic exploration and researchRecords relating to Antarctic exploration and research include those of Antarctic agencies, such as the AAD, or agencies that have continued to have a role in Antarctic policy issues or in operational support to the AAD. Examples of some of the most significant records are listed below.
Mawson claimed British sovereignty over Antarctic territories in 1930 and 1931. The consequent Australian Antarctic Territory Acceptance Act 1933 came into effect from 24 August 1936, and established the area we now know as the Australian Antarctic Territory. The Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) established a sub-Antarctic station at Heard Island in 1947, and Macquarie Island in 1948. Mawson Station, on the Antarctic continent, was established in 1954.
Antarctic researchResearch by ANARE began in 1947 into areas such as Antarctic weather, upper atmosphere physics and glaciology. International cooperation on scientific research in Antarctica during the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957 led to the 1959 Antarctic Treaty. The treaty provided for complete freedom of scientific research in Antarctica, for conservation of wildlife and the prohibition of military activity, nuclear testing and disposal of radioactive waste.
Today the Australian Antarctic Division carries out research into physical and life sciences in the atmospheric, terrestrial and marine domains, as well as human biology and medical research. It is also responsible for ongoing observational activities, including meteorology, seismic, magnetic and GPS networks, charting and mapping.
The Australian Antarctic DivisionThe principal agency with responsibility for the Commonwealth Government’s Antarctic initiatives – the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) – began as a section within the Department of External Affairs in May 1948. Upgraded to a division within a month, it remained within External Affairs until 1968. Since then it has been located within departments responsible for science/environment functions. The AAD head office has been in Hobart since 1981. The AAD has worked in collaboration with a range of agencies including the Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics; the former Division of National Mapping; Bureau of Meteorology; CSIRO; Department of Air; and the Army.
Records relating to Antarctic exploration and researchRecords relating to Antarctic exploration and research include those of Antarctic agencies, such as the AAD, or agencies that have continued to have a role in Antarctic policy issues or in operational support to the AAD. Examples of some of the most significant records are listed below.
Explorers and adventurers
Roald Amundsen
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Roald Amundsen originally began a career studying medicine at the University of Christiana (now the University of Oslo), but dropped out in order to go to sea. His first Antarctic trip was in 1899 on the Belgica expedition when he was one of the first party ever to over winter in Antarctica as the ship became trapped in the pack ice and drifted until it broke out in the following spring. He established his credentials on this trip as a leader, ice master and as a resourceful expeditioner.
He led his first polar expedition in the Arctic from 1903 - 1906 in theGjoa, successfully traversing the "North West Passage" a extraordinary achievement in a tiny ship that came after a century of attempts and the loss of literally hundreds of lives.
He led his first polar expedition in the Arctic from 1903 - 1906 in theGjoa, successfully traversing the "North West Passage" a extraordinary achievement in a tiny ship that came after a century of attempts and the loss of literally hundreds of lives.
Douglas Mawson
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Douglas Mawson was an Australian by adoption who was offered a place on Scott's Terra Nova expedition but turned it down to lead the Australasian Antarctic Expedition of 1911 - 1914 sailing on the Aurora.
Though less prestigious, this was a wide ranging scientific and exploratory expedition to previously unknown and unvisited regions of the Antarctic continent. It included a dramatic sledging journey that Mawson undertook with two companions, he was to be the only survivor, against the odds in appalling conditions.
Though less prestigious, this was a wide ranging scientific and exploratory expedition to previously unknown and unvisited regions of the Antarctic continent. It included a dramatic sledging journey that Mawson undertook with two companions, he was to be the only survivor, against the odds in appalling conditions.
Robert Falcon Scott
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English explorer who commanded two Antarctic expeditions, 1901-04 and 1910-12. Born to John and Hannah Scott. Born into a naval family he became a cadet at the age of 13 and entered the navy in 1882. He married famous English sculptor, Kathleen Bruce in 1908. His son Peter was born in 1909. In 1910 he set for antarctica on the ship Terra Nova. With Scott on the final expedition were Edward Wilson (1872-1912), Laurence Oates, H R Bowers, and E Evans. The Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge was founded in 1920 out of funds donated by the public following Scott's death, as a memorial to him and his companions. It houses a small museum and library, and carries out research into all aspects of the Antarctic and Arctic regions. On 18 January 1912 he reached the South Pole, shortly after the Norwegian Roald Amundsen, but on the return journey he and his companions died in a blizzard only a few miles from their base camp. His journal was recovered and published in 1913.
Ernest Shackleton
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In 1901, Shackleton was chosen to go on the Antarctic expedition led by British naval officer Robert Falcon Scott on the ship 'Discovery'. With Scott and one other, Shackleton trekked towards the South Pole in extremely difficult conditions, getting closer to the Pole than anyone had come before. Shackleton became seriously ill and had to return home but had gained valuable experience.
In 1911, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen reached the South Pole, followed by Scott who died on the return journey. In 1914, Shackleton made his third trip to the Antarctic with the ship 'Endurance', planning to cross Antarctica via the South Pole. Early in 1915, 'Endurance' became trapped in the ice, and ten months later sank. Shackleton's crew had already abandoned the ship to live on the floating ice. In April 1916, they set off in three small boats, eventually reaching Elephant Island. Taking five crew members, Shackleton went to find help. In a small boat, the six men spent 16 days crossing 1,300 km of ocean to reach South Georgia and then trekked across the island to a whaling station. The remaining men from the 'Endurance' were rescued in August 1916. Not one member of the expedition died. 'South', Shackleton's account of the 'Endurance' expedition, was published in 1919.
Shackleton's fourth expedition aimed to circumnavigate the Antarctic continent but on 5 January 1922, Shackleton died of a heart attack off South Georgia. He was buried on the island.
In 1911, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen reached the South Pole, followed by Scott who died on the return journey. In 1914, Shackleton made his third trip to the Antarctic with the ship 'Endurance', planning to cross Antarctica via the South Pole. Early in 1915, 'Endurance' became trapped in the ice, and ten months later sank. Shackleton's crew had already abandoned the ship to live on the floating ice. In April 1916, they set off in three small boats, eventually reaching Elephant Island. Taking five crew members, Shackleton went to find help. In a small boat, the six men spent 16 days crossing 1,300 km of ocean to reach South Georgia and then trekked across the island to a whaling station. The remaining men from the 'Endurance' were rescued in August 1916. Not one member of the expedition died. 'South', Shackleton's account of the 'Endurance' expedition, was published in 1919.
Shackleton's fourth expedition aimed to circumnavigate the Antarctic continent but on 5 January 1922, Shackleton died of a heart attack off South Georgia. He was buried on the island.
Richard Byrd
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Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd, Jr., USN (25 October 1888 – 11 March 1957) was an American naval officer who specialized in feats of exploration. He was a pioneering American aviator, polar explorer, and organizer of polar logistics. Aircraft flights, in which he served as a navigator and expedition leader, crossed the Atlantic Ocean, a segment of the Arctic Ocean, and a segment of the Antarctic Plateau. Byrd claimed that his expeditions had been the first to reach the North Pole and the South Pole by air. His South Pole claim is generally supported by a consensus of those who have examined the evidence. Byrd was a recipient of the Medal of Honor, the highest honor for heroism given by the United States.