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Antarctic is Earth's southernmost continent, underlying the South Pole, is surrounded by the Southern Ocea.
Antarctic is the fifth-largest continent after Asia, Africa, North America, and South America. About 98% of Antarctica is covered by ice, which averages at least 1.6 kilometres in thickness. The annual average sea ice is about 1.8m in thickness. Antarctica is the coldest, driest and windiest continent. Photo: Ellen Yule www.newzealand2ways.com www.photoblog.com/2ways |
The International Antarctic Centre, "The Gateway to Antarctica" in Christchurch, New Zealand, is the world's best Antarctic attraction, absolutely worth half-day visit. It is 15-minute drive away from Christchurch city, next door to airport.
70% of all the world's scientists and support staff take 5-8 hour flight directly to McMurdo Sound in Antarctica from Christchurch international airport. |
Gabriela, teaching staff from the Antarctic Centre explains the group visitors about the “Great White Continent” with her first-hand knowledge and experience as a Penguin Police in Antarctic.
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One of the group visitors volunteers himself to dress up as scientists or supporting staff who would live in Antarctic for a while.
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Piece after piece, layer after layer...clothes of Antarctic staff must be warm, light, wind-proof, water-proof and in bright colours.
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...three pairs of socks and then a pair of boots...
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...three pairs of gloves...
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How can you identify who is who if everyone is fully equipped like this?
By a name tag on the left chest. |
As people generate more drips and dripples in Antarctic, the fluffy gloves are specially designed for wipping them off without hurting their noses and mouths.
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This is the way how men or women living in Antarctic do their No. 2.
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This plastic tool is for women in Antarctic to do their No. 1.
All the human's waste have to be put in the blue plastic bags and be carried back to Christchurch for disposal. |
The nice looking clothing definitely helps to hide the ugly changes of people's body in Antarctic - skin becomes dry and flakey, body hair grows twice as fast and body weight increases 5.5kg in six weeks.
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In an informative and entertaining way, the group visitors learn in a stimulating classroom environment and then explore the Antarctic Attraction and the Little Blue Penguin Encounter.
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Gallery area in the Antarctic Centre is full of informative displays showcasing modern day Antarctica, including the Antarctic treaty partners, the human impact on the continent, the wildlife and plant systems and Antarctica’s effect on the globe.
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Antarctica has no permanent residents, but a number of people conducting and supporting scientific research - about 1,000 in winter about 5,000 in summer (December to Feburary).
Scott Base is the New Zealand’s only Antarctic research station. |
Only cold-adapted plants and animals survive in Antarctic, including penguins, seals, mosses, lichen, and many types of algae (plant with no stems or leaves).
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Penguins are flightless birds. They feed heavily on fish, squid, and other small crustaceans. Seals and killer whales are their natural enemies.
Healthy adult penguins have no predators on land, so they have no natural fear of humans. |
Out of 17 species of penguins, only four breed on the Antarctic continent itself: the Adelie, the Emperor, the Chinstrap and the Gentoo penguins.
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Do you feel you are million-year backwards by touching the Antarctic wind shaped rocks formed millions of years ago?
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Fern fossil called Dicroidium from Shapeless Mountain, Antarctic about 200 million years ago.
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8 Species of Whales are found in Antarctic - Blue Whale, Fin Whale, Humpback Whale, Minke Whale, Orca Whale, Southern Right Whale, Sei Whale and Sperm Whale.
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Penguin Encounter is New Zealand’s first combined indoor/outdoor penguin viewing area with capacity to hold up to 26 Little Blue Penguins in a Banks Peninsula natural-themed environment.
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Edmund Hillary, New Zealander, the first to reach the summit of Mt Everest, was also the first to reach the South Pole in 1957 by land mechanised means (by a modified farm motor vehicle).
The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 by twelve countries; to date, forty-six countries have signed the treaty. The treaty prohibits military activities and mineral mining, supports scientific research, and protects the continent's ecozone. |
Shelter in an ice cave beside the wind chill machine at -19 degrees celsius - Antarctic is the coldest continent.
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Get 'exchillarated' in the Antarctic Storm that blows every 30 minutes - Antarctic is the windiest continent.
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Slide down an icy slope and have fun regardless of age.
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a great photo opportunity with a cuddly penguin
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relax on a comfy whale
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Take a ride on Hagglund - a genuine Antarctic vehicle, the only one of its type in the world.
It simulates the same travelling conditions as scientists would experience riding in a Hagglund across rough terrain in Antarctic. It rides over mounds, a crevasse, speeding across open ground and through a pond of water... 15 minutes in duration. Screaming, thrilling, guaranteed! |
'Our understanding of the Southern Ocean is still in its infancy. Each time a research vessel collects samples in the Ross Sea it brings back 20 or 30 new species never seen before.' - Dr. Dean Peterson (Antarctic New Zealand)
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非常喜欢那辆车！我很佩服KIWI的独创精神，很少能看到相似或雷同的东西。
????? · 2009-04-16: 07:49
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