Public Lecture Series with Chris Turney | ICED IN: Ten Days Trapped on the Edge of Antarctica

• Science & Health

Earth Scientist Chris Turney will discuss his experiences and the insights gained from the Australasian Antarctic Expedition of 2013-2014, which he led to one of the most remote places in the world: Cape Denison in the East Antarctic. Turney assembled a remarkable group of professional and citizen scientists for the daring journey. Their aim: to discover what changes are taking place in this globally important region, due to the arrival of a giant iceberg the size of Rhode Island, known as B09B.

During their voyage south and on the ice, Turney and his team achieved a number of scientific firsts for the region. The data is providing a rich scientific trawl. They found how shifting winds were causing dramatic temperature changes in the furious fifties; they discovered significant changes in ocean circulation with the arrival of B09B; and they learned how local penguin populations were suffering from more extensive sea ice. While homeward bound, their research vessel was trapped by a massive breakout of sea ice that moved in from the east. All members of the party were evacuated by helicopter with no injury to any of the team – nor to Chris’s wife and two children, who were also aboard.

The team posted daily online reports of their research findings and aspects of life on the vessel and in the field, and later documented their struggle, using the latest in satellite technology. During the six weeks of the expedition, their website received more than 60,000 visits, driving traffic to social media sites on G+, YouTube, Twitter, Vine and Facebook. As the number of television and radio interviews increased, so did discussion about the science. Turney remains firm in his belief that engaging with the public, to excite people about all that scientists do, is critical for creating a modern, scientifically literate society.