The first plane to travel from Christchurch to Scott Base in Antarctica was meant to fly this morning but was delayed because of the weather. Scott Base is New Zealand’s home in Antarctica. Most of the scientists who will work there in the summer will leave in two weeks’ time. However, the first flight carries support staff such as tradesmen including mechanics, and safety instructors. The New Zealand team will stay until February. There will be 24 hours of daylight every day for most of that time.
This year, scientists will set up a camp about 700km from Scott Base, to study Adelie Penguins. Although this will be summer, they expect to experience very severe weather most of the time like strong wind storms. However, they will be working with scientists from Korea, Italy and USA and together, they will live in buildings not tents.
Scientists will also be studying the weather and the sea ice, to find out the direction of sea currents and whether climate change is affecting the ice.
Christchurch is one of five gateways in the world to Antarctica. If you look at a globe, you will see that New Zealand and Argentina are the closest countries. The US uses Christchurch airport for their Antarctic planes.
Christchurch has a celebration of Antarctica at the moment called IceFest.
To listen to other posts about Antarctica, type Antarctica in the search box.
Vocabulary
• delayed – postponed, will leave later, probably tomorrow
• tradesmen – e.g. builders, electricians, mechanics
• instructors – teachers
• severe – very serious, dangerous
• currents – movement of water in sea and rivers
• gateways – place where planes and ships to Antarctica leave from