Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-16
BY JOHN l.. COOLEY,
Associated Press Science Editor


NEW YORK. August knowledge
a the Antarctic continent is 50 sketchy
that II a hundred airplane expeditions
could be set down on its icy plateau
there would be plenty of work for every
body and no need for duplication.
Many South Polar explorers in re-
cent years have expressed the hope that
seine day the airplane could be tried in
tbs all but impossible land. Hereto
fore dogs, ponies, and even automo-
hiicS. have been used TO supplement
man power, but the tremendous dis
taa1ces and unSurmountable obstacles
laid down by nature call for a trans
portation method that is independent
OF earth
During the coming Antarctic Sum-
merit VIII be Midwinter in Northern
lstitudeS--taree parties Of scientific
biT0men are 10 attempt flights over
limited sections Of the continent. Some
of them will try TO land at heretofore
Inaccessible places of the interior to
CLEAN more information for geology,
neteorology. 2oogeography and lust
simple geography.
What do they seek from this dead
land?
Scientists would like. best Of all. per-
hspS, 70 be able 10 lift the great icecap
that covers Antarctica to an unknown
depth Then they could see the rocky
floor that supports the glaciation. de-
TeGmining whether it is a continuous
mass or is divided into islands; whether
she mountains OF West Antarctica are
really a continuation of the Andean
formation in South America, as many
investigators have believed. and whether
East and West Antarctica. structuraily
different. are separated by a hidden
arm of the sea.
These two general geographical divi-
SioTlS Of the continent are built in
rather striking contrast. West Ant
arctiea. lying nearest to South America.
is folded. as the biologists say. while
the other part of the continent Is a
great elevated mass of land. with none
OF the characteristics of the Andean
chain found in the west 1t is the dis
similarity between the two sections that
has suggested the possible existence of
a channel, long since choked with ice.
that may once have joined Ross and
Wedden Seas. the two great CULTS that
tndent Antarctica on opposite sides.
Unfortunately. however, explorers and
scientists must take Antarctica as they
find it. icecap and all. and so one of
their problems is to determine the pro-
file of this barren covering in the hope
OF learning how much of the plateau is
ice and how much is rock. Then, too
they want TO measure the thickness of
the cap with sounding devices a labor
that might disclose some of the char
s-cserIstics of the coneinental floor
So far the geological studies have
been fragmentary, for the rock out
groupings are few. confined chiefly. so
far as is known, to the steep cliffs of
mountains. IF airplane travel is sue
cessful biologists of the Byrd or SUBJ
seQuent expeditions may be able TO find
favorable locations for their examina-
ton.
Antarctica was gIaciated in compare
lively recent times. gsologically speak |
ing. yet no traces Of an earlier ice age |
have been found They may exist. |
however. in undiscovered sedimentary |
strata. and the finding of these records |
is another JOB for the geologist, who |
cannot make himself believe that here |
Is a Polar LAND with no history o. pre- |
yious giaciati0n
Many other scientific problems await |
The veil equipped explorer The Ques-
ticn Of Antarctica's effect on the CHI |
mate Of the Southern Hemisphere Is
considered Of great Importance. and
naeteorologists want more data It is
known that the terrific winds that
sweep down the great white dome OF
the continent have direct bearing on
the weather in Southern South Amer
lea and the antipodes.
Oceanographic studies are also de-
sired. for the Pacific. Atlantic and In
dian Oceans form the water boundaries
OF the continent and are influenced BY
It's giaciation. Then. too, the sea of
the glacial cliffs abounds in marine life.
Rnd the shore itself harbors countless
penguin rookeries. af1ording iinlitless
material for topographic investiga-
tons Of the Antarctic
Anarctica. unacceptable as ii is is
not without economic possibilities. For
years whalers have sailed among the
island groups that lie of the continent
getting rich rewards for their labors.
Coal has been found in the section be-
tween King George Land and Ross