Now, 100 years later, this Frozen Continent is going to be used as a natural preserve of nature and science forevermore. This means that humans can no longer voyage to Antarctica in search of a quick way to make money through killing. Recently, there have even been discussions about starting a world park in this region. It is on this continent that evidence of environmental threats such as ozone depletion and the greenhouse effect, can be observed by scientists. In the grand scheme of things, this change is remarkably fast. It was only a short time since humans discovered this continent and used it for a quick buck. Up until the International Geophysical Year of 1957-1958, only several routes to the South Pole and small areas of coastline had been explored. Learn about antarctica cruise trips.
From the time Antarctica was discovered its history has been filled with fierceness, nationalism, idealism, and constant killing. Only on occasion were attempts made at scientific research on this continent. Whaling in this region increased during World War I because the oil was refined into glycerin which was used for artillery shells. After World War II began, Americans and the Soviets both needed to produce extra-fine oil for their jet engines. So, the Soviets and the Americans both began hunting sperm whales. Until the advent of the IGY, most of Antarctica was termed “Terra Incognita” – which is a medieval map making term for thed southern continent that was thought to exist.
Tags: artillery shells, frozen continent, grand scheme of things, southern continent, sperm whales, terra incognita