What you look for in Antarctica

Antarctica, the last continent to be discovered, is also the only one not permanently inhabited by man, apart from the presence of a few perennial bases. And it is because of the near absence of anthropisation that this continent is the ideal place to carry out observations and scientific studies using the most modern research techniques. For many years, biologists, geologists, astrophysicists and climatologists from various Italian universities and major research institutes have played a leading role in major international study and research programmes in the Antarctic. In particular, studies on ice sheet samples and sediments deposited on the shelf that surrounds Antarctica make it possible to reconstruct past climatic conditions. This is a crucial issue for our planet today, as the effects of progressive global warming on the ice masses present not only in Antarctica, but in all the glaciers on the other continental masses are not known exactly.

Geophysicist Emanuele Lodolo, 57, works at the National Institute of Experimental Oceanography (Ogs) in Trieste. He mainly acquires, processes and interprets seismic reflection profiles, magnetic, gravimetric and Multibeam data for tectonic studies. He has participated in numerous geophysical and geological campaigns in Antarctica, the Southern Ocean, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

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