GREAT WHITE SOUTH

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 226, 21 June 1935, Page 7

GREAT WHITE SOUTH

Exploration in Fancy of Antarctica SCIENTIST’S ADDRESS Au "exploration’’ in fancy of the Antarctic continent, was made last night by a large audience under the “leadership” of Dr. P. Marshall, D.Sc., F.ILS.N.Z., who gave an illustrated address on "The Geology and Glaciology of Antarctica.’ under the auspices of the New Zealand Antarctic Society. Dr. Marshall described what is known of the geological formation of the great southern continent, its ice structures and the vastness of the iee barrier. He demonstrate! that from 30 millions to 50 millions of years ago the climate of the region had possibly been very warm, even tropical, according to the evidence of fossilised plant ami animal life. Huge deposits of con] quite near the Pole furnished further evidence that plant life at one time had l>een very active on tlie Antarctic continent The ice was now retreating, the Great Barrier having receded 35 miles on the westward side since Ross last visited it in 1841. nearly 100 years'ago. -There was a difference of opinion among meteorologists as to whether this phenomenon was evidence that the climate there was becoming milder, or more intensely cold. Personally, said the lee turer, he favoured the common-sense view that Antarctica was growing warmer, but the common-sense opinion was not always the correct one in scientific matters. As to the future of Antarctica, said Dr. Alarshall, the possession of the continent/was likely to be the subject of International rivalries, not only because of the valuable whale oil industry. but also on account of the importance of the territory, he understood, for wireless purposes.