Lake Ellsworth (Antarctica)
| Lake Ellsworth | |
|---|---|
| Location | West Antarctica |
| Coordinates | 79°S 91°W / 79°S 91°W |
| Type | subglacial |
| Basin countries | (Antarctica) |
| Max. depth | >10 m (est.) |
Lake Ellsworth is a subglacial lake located in West Antarctica under approximately 3.4 km of ice. It is approximately 10 km long and is estimated to be tens of meters in depth.[1] It is strongly considered as a site for direct exploration due to the possibility that it may harbor unique life forms as well as its relatively easy accessibility.[2] The lake is named after the American explorer Lincoln Ellsworth.
On March 2, 2009 the Natural Environment Research Council gave a team of British scientists the go-ahead to explore this lake. This pioneering research will develop the technology to explore the lake using methods that will not lead to contamination. Water samples will be taken and analysed for signs of life.[3]
Scientists will use a hot water jet to drill down the ice to the lake, then a cable with a probe will retrieve sediment and water for analysis. It is predicted the results could hold key information about climate change.[4] The drilling is scheduled to start in November 2012 and be finished by January 2013.[5]
See also
References
- ^ Siegert, Martin J. (2004). "Subglacial Lake Ellsworth: A candidate for in situ exploration in West Antarctica". Geophysical Research Letters. 31 (23): L23403. Bibcode:2004GeoRL..3123403S. doi:10.1029/2004GL021477.
- ^ Siegert, Martin J. and the Lake Ellsworth Consortium, "Exploration of Subglacial Lake Ellsworth", Poster, University of Bristol, September 2004
- ^ "Final frontier: mission to explore buried ancient Antarctic lake given green light". Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). 2009-03-02. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
- ^ "BBC News - Scientists search for life under Antarctic icecap". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
- ^ Mustain, Andrea (Jan 16, 2012). "British Antarctic Survey Scientists Seek To Drill To Lake Ellsworth". Huffington Post. Retrieved 01-17-2013.
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External links
- Antarctic lake may hold life clue
- The Exploration of Subglacial Lake Ellsworth
- Template:PDF
- Drilling Into the Unknown: First Exploration of a Sub-Glacial Antarctic Lake Is a Major Step Closer
- Woodward, J., A. M. Smith, N. Ross, M. Thoma, H. F. J. Corr, E. C. King, M. A. King, K. Grosfeld, M. Tranter, and M. J. Siegert (2010), Location for direct access to subglacial Lake Ellsworth: An assessment of geophysical data and modeling, Geophysical Research Letters, 37, L11501, doi:10.1029/2010GL042884