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24 TH INDIAN SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION TO ANTARCTICA - DEC 2004 TO MAR 2005
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Antarctica is the coldest, windiest, driest, highest and emptiest place on the earth. The maximum wind speed ever recorded is 320km/hr and minimum temp. recorded is minus 89.6Deg Celsius at Russian station VOSTOK. The ice thickness of this icy continent varies from few metres near the continental shelf to a maximum of 4.776 kms near the pole. |
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History of Antarctica is full of heroic explorations since 1773 when James Cook first crossed Antarctic circle. Later Amundsen became the first person to conquer South pole on 04 Dec 1911. This icy continent was first sighted in 1820. In 1821 John Davis and John Mcporlane landed on Antarctica for the first time. India launched its first expedition in 1981 under the leadership of Dr SZ Qasim. |
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Indian Station Maitri |
First Indian station “Dakshin Gangotri” was established in 1984 and was later abandoned in 1990-1991 as it got buried under accumulated snow. The second permanent station “Maitri” was commissioned in 1989. It is located in position 70Deg45’58”S, 11Deg43’56”E. Location for the 3rd proposed Indian station has been earmarked in Larsemann Hills in position 69 Deg 24’28”S, 76Deg 11’14”E. |
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Coast Guard Participation in Antarctica Expeditions First CG person to go to Antarctica was P/Nvk(Cook) MS Rawat in 1995. The 24th Indian Scientific Antarctica Expedition from 10 Dec 2004 to 23 Mar 2005 was represented by an officer from the Indian Coast Guard, Commandant(JG) M Srivastava. He is a qualified Meteorological Officer and has done Advance Meteorology course from India Meteorological Department, Pune. His studies in Antarctica included Paleoclimatalogy and other Atmospheric studies like Atmospheric turbidity, radiation budget and Study of daily, seasonal and annual variation of atmospheric conditions.
One of the important event during 24th Scientific Expedition was visit of Honourable Minister of State(IC) Science and Technology and Ocean Development Shri Kapil Sibal. He is the first Indian Minister to visit Antarctica. The H’ble Minister was presented CG Coffee table book and CG Crest by Comdt(JG) M Srivastava.
Visit to the new site at Larsemann Hills by a task force of five members including Comdt (JG) M Srivastava was a very significant and historical event. The task force initiated scientific studies and erected an IGLOO SATELLITE HUT at suitable location in the area which will eventually house the 3rd Indian station in Antarctica. The task force also has the distinction of visiting Chinese Station "Zhongshon", Russian Station "Progress" and Australian station "Davis" and getting a first hand information of these station and the on going research. |
