by Ria Olivier | Feb 11, 2022 | Marion Island, Meteorology, Not-Assigned, Oceanography, Research, SA Agulhas II, SANAP Student, Science, Southern Ocean, STEM, sub-Antarctic, Women in Science
In honour of every woman and girl entering the field of science within the Antarctic, sub-Antarctic and Southern Ocean.
Be inspired by the Women in Antarctic, sub-Antarctic and Southern Ocean Science.
Be inspired by the girls taking Marine Sciences as a subject in high school laying the path for their future in science.
Read more about the new SA subject – Marine Sciences: https://bit.ly/3gF9WN7
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 11 February 2022
by Ria Olivier | Feb 3, 2022 | Not-Assigned, Uncategorised
Sir Ernest Shackleton.
Tom Crean with puppies.
The year is 1914, with the imminent threat of World War I, Sir Ernest Shackleton was on the cusp of embarking on a journey to the uncharted South Ocean and treacherous Antarctic region. Upon learning about the mobilization of troops, supplies and volunteer soldiers, Shackleton offered up his ship the “Endurance”, men, and services in the event of war breaking out. He was initially given the “Proceed” command from the Admiralty office, however soon after received a telegram from Winston Churchill thanking him for the offer but would prefer that they proceed with the expedition.
Sir Ernest Shackleton and Frank Wild with the crush “Endurance”.
The “Endurance”
Thus, giving birth to one of history’s most epic expeditions, tale of bravery, resilience and spirit of adventure. The “Endurance” set sail for South Georgia, where it was stocked, and preparations made for the harrowing journey into the uncharted Weddell Sea. Unfortunately, the “Endurance” was met with an unforgiving sea and severe ice conditions which soon caused the untimely demise of the expedition and eventual loss of the vessel, beneath the frozen tundra. Although the ship was lost to the sea, the spirit of survival and unshakeable brotherhood of the “Endurance” crew is a timeless tale echoed throughout history. Shackleton’s efforts in rescuing his men and safe return of every crew member remains a remarkable story never to be forgotten and has paved the way for future intrepid explorers.
SA Agulhas II sailing bow-slamming in the Southern Ocean. Photograph: Marcel du Plessis
Fast forward 104 years, in February 2019, the S.A. Agulhas II set out to make the first attempt (Weddell Sea Expedition 2019) in reaching the last known sinking site of the “Endurance” with the hopes of uncovering the wreck. The expedition was successful in that the vessel, along with its ambitious expedition team reached the sinking site and conducted a plethora of oceanographic operations. Unfortunately, the search for the “Endurance” was abandoned due to the technical difficulties and subsequent loss of oceanographic equipment. The expedition team and S.A .Agulhas II crew faced treacherous seas and extreme ice conditions, indicative of the Weddell Sea. Thus, serving as firm reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Southern Ocean, but with that said the Weddell Sea Expedition team (Endurance 22) returns with renewed hopes in discovering Shackleton’s lost “Endurance”.
Coverage and updates of Endurance 22 Expedition will be covered by and ALSA via social media channels (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram). There is also an amazing opportunity for schools to engage and gain wonderful insight into the voyage through a virtual classroom made possible by “Reach the World” foundation. Register here: https://bit.ly/3HtS8jK
Reach the World, in partnership with the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust will be the largest virtual exchange expedition in organisational history! Real-time articles, video content from explorers and scientists will be made available as well as communication from Endurance 22 participants throughout the voyage. A number of classroom subjects will be addressed such as STEM, Social Studies, English Language Arts (ELA), and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Learn more and register at explore.reachtheworld.org
Track the S.A. Agulhas II during the Endurance22 Expedition with Captain Knowledge Bengu in the bridge and Freddie Ligthelm as Ice pilot.
Ice-Core and UCT Team of Weddell Sea Expedition 2019. Photograph: Tamara Stubbs
Image above and below taken during the Endurance Expedition in 2019
UCT scientists conducting ice core work during WSE 2019. Photograph: Hermann Luyt
“Sir Ernest Shackleton’s name will for evermore be engraved with letters of fire in the history of Antarctic exploration.” – Roald Amundsen
Images from Sir Ernest Shackleton obtained from : https://www.coolantarctica.com. A great source that can be used in the classroom.
Tahlia Henry, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 03 February 2022
by Ria Olivier | Dec 1, 2021 | Antarctica, Important Dates, International Days, Not-Assigned, SANAE
Today, 62 years ago, 12 countries (including South Africa) signed the Antarctic Treaty. On the 1st of December 1959, Antarctica was set aside for peaceful and scientific purposes. This day is celebrated all over the world. Join the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) related celebrations, see events here. 
Currently, over 50 countries have signed the Antarctic Treaty. In the image (left), flags are displayed of countries (52 flags) that have signed the Antarctic Treaty by 2015. Read more about the treaty here.
Let us be reminded of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), held in Scotland earlier this year, where the Glasgow Climate Pact was made. We all need to work together to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. See what Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy commented on the outcomes of the international climate change talks at COP26 (click here).
An unnamed Antarctic glacier was named Glasgow, honoring the city where COP26 took place and new agreements were made to take rapid action against climate change (read more here).
The South African National Antarctic Programme contributes climate change research in the Antarctic, sub-Antarctic, including the Southern Ocean.
Want to know the history of the South African National Antarctic Expedition station? Read more about the current and previous South African stations here.
Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 1 December 2021
by Ria Olivier | Sep 30, 2021 | Antarctica, Data Management, Gough Island, Marion Island, Not-Assigned, Prince Edward Islands, Research, SA Agulhas II, SA Polar Infratsructure, SANAP, Science, Southern Ocean
South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI): Launch of the Preparatory Phase
The SAPRI team is pleased to inform you that the contractual agreement for the starting of the SAPRI implementation phase is being finalized between the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF). We have now entered the Preparatory Phase of SAPRI’s operationalisation and interim measures are being put in place to ensure progress is made. Until the formal signature of the contract, the SAPRI cannot officially initiate Phase 1, but in the interim the Preparatory Phase will continue the conceptual design of the RI and predispose priority actions with the support of the community.
These achievements would not have been possible without the trust demonstrated by the scientific SANAP community towards the SAPRI team, the contribution and constructive support of the DFFE Oceans & Coasts Branch managing the SANAP logistics, and the commitment to collaborate offered by other institutions that have historically been involved in polar research. This gestation and birth of SAPRI is a major advancement to streamline, consolidate and grow the South African polar sciences, and represent a systemic innovation to maximize the investments of the various governmental institutions involved. The SAPRI will officially start from the advantageous position of being incubated within South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), which will fast-track the establishment of the governance and of the consortium agreements.
The launch of the SAPRI Preparatory Phase was announced via a webinar and a Q&A session to illustrate the main aspects of SAPRI, its organization into integrated facilities, and the first steps of the implementation phase listed in the business plan. To accelerate the implementation phase, it is proposed to initiate an informal Preparatory Phase of SAPRI and to discuss the following actions with the community of stakeholders:
- Establishment of the User Fora overseeing the requirements of the integrated facilities.
- Implementation of the Task Team for the reorganization of SANAP within the NRF.
- Consultation and discussion on the implementation steps for the Polar Science Transformation Plan.
- Establishment of the DFFE-SAPRI Task Team for assisting with science-related logistics. This will include discussions around the SA Agulhas II dry dock scheduled for November 2021.
The virtual webinar took place on 29th September 13:00-15:00 and was led by the SAPRI team; Tamaryn Morris, Marcello Vichi, Juliet Hermes, Johannes Pauw.
- Overview of SAPRI
- Current status, Business Plan priorities, budget requirements and transformation actions
- Q&A
- Preparatory phase
The following links are available to the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa Archive of the webinar recordings and presentations of the South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI): launch of the Preparatory Phase:
IMPORTANT documents related to and to be read together with SAPRI proposal available on ALSA archive:
