Antarctic survey yielded much detail

Press, 4 March 1982, Page 18

Antarctic survey yielded much detail

... The most significant event of the New Zealand Antarctic summer programme was the Northern Victoria Land expedition involving New Zealand, . American and Australian . geological survey parties, according to the superintendent of the Antarctic Division of the D.5.1.R., Mr R. B. Thomson. The scientific results that had been determined had proved to be greater than the most optimistic predictions. . “Subsequent analysis of rock samples and other material is expected to provide very detailed information on the relationship between the continents of the Southern Hemisphere, especially New Zealand, Australia, and Northern Victoria Land. “This information , will not only be helpfur in gaining a better understanding of the geological history, of the region but is also expected to provide some indicators relating to mineral resources,”

Mr Thomson said. New Zealand scientists were also associated with American shipboard scientific studies of marine pollutants and oceanography. Field events, involving eight guest scientists from the United States, Japan, China, and Australia were successfully completed in the Dry Valleys and Ross Island regions. Mr Thomson said he was impressed with work done by the New Zealand Army construction team and the Ministry of Works personnel on the Scott. Base rebuilding programme. Stage three of the programme had been completed early and in time for the new accommodation and kitchen block to be opened by the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) when he attended the Scott'Base twenty-fifth anniversary celebrations in midJanuary.

“This was the biggest

event in our Antarctic history and marked the end of an era and the introduction of a new ‘modern era’ in which new facilities and technology will be provided in order to meet the needs and demands of the next 25 years,” Mr Thomson said. Future international activities in Antarctica would include some commercial ventures involving tourism and resource exploration and exploitation. The Government’s policy was to continue activities in Antarctica at least at the present level. “The Antarctic Division is involved in the detailed planning for the 1982-83 season and the next stage of the base rebuilding programme,” Mr Thomson said. One of the original buildings, the old mess hut, would be returned to New Zealand where it would be reconstructed at Ferrymead, Christchurch, as a museum piece.