Questions for Paul Morin
In December, 2006, Paul Morin answered visitors questions about geology in Antarctica.
Your Comments, Thoughts, Questions, Ideas
Science Buzz is supported by the National Science Foundation.Copyright © Science Museum of Minnesota, 2004-2010, except where noted.
Are there signs of global warming in Antarctica?
The snow line is going up and the Dry Valley glaciers are at their furthest extent that has been seen. Glaciers surging forward is a sign of warming.
On average how cold is it there? And what kind of wildlife, if any have you seen?
It has been 45F to -20F but mostly on the warmer side. It is summer and we have 24 hour sun. It has only been really cold when we were at high elevation.
There hasn't been much wildlife here. We did see a Skua in camp in the Dry Valleys for the first time in 10 years. There were also penguins around McMurdo for a few days.
what do you like about antarctica the most?
It is unlike anywhere I have ever been. Except for the red parkas we wear the entire world is black and white. There is just no color. There are also no plants of any kind.
Are there really volcanos on the continent of Antarctica? Are they active? Do they spew lava?
There are. In fact McMurdow, the main logistical base, is on on teh flank of Mt Erebus. Scienctists have cameras filming the eruptions all the time.
Can you describe what you wear when you go out to do field work?
Extreme cold weather gear. I'll have pictures of it later today.
Why are Antartica's Dry Valleys called that? What makes them dry?
They are on the dry side of the Trans Antarctic Mountains. All the snow falls on the other side of the mountains. It does snow from time-to-time in the DVs. It is so dry and cold NASA uses the DVs to test technology used on mars.
Paul,
What mapping software do you use? Can it do 3D visualizations of an area of the map? I am interested in mapping a mythical planet for a wargame I am involved with.
Pat O
We use everything from ARCmap to goCAD and Earth vision. We also use Photoshop to do more of the artistic part of the mapping.
how different is map making now compare to the techniques that were use hundreds of years ago?
Also, what kind of technology or tools that are used to make maps...are they 100% accurate?
It is now almost completely done on computer. We can more easily correct errors and add new information as it becomes available.
No map is 100% accurate. It depends on human mesurement, GPS accuracy and human error.
How far do you travel from wherever you base camp is to the Dry Valleys? And, what is your mode of transportation? How far do you have to walk vs. other means?
I've heard that the largest mountains in the world are actually buried beneath the ice and snow of Antarctica. Is this true?
how cold is antarctica
Hi Paul,
This is Sue. We (Steve, Sarah, Mark, Sophie, and Marlee) are here at the Science museum and we see that we are supposed to ask you a question. So, if you are using spy satellites, digitized paper maps, why are you down there? Is it old fashioned walking around? What is there that you didn't know? (20 words or less answer is fine). See you in a few weeks!
What is your background? How did you get into making maps? What else have you mapped?
hi, what kind of rocks and minerals are there in Antarctica? I am interested because I want to be a geologist.
Breanna
what is the name of the volcano in antarctica?
How much of Antartica's geology comes from the ground underneath the ice, and not the ice itself?
What is the volcanic history of Antarctica
should i care about global warming? in Minnesota our winters r freezing and i would love to live in a climate that wuz toasty.