What happened in 1961 in the Antarctic?
On 23 June 1961, the Antarctic Treaty entered into force. It was the first international treaty to ban nuclear testing, amongst other military activities, within a specified region. The Treaty applies to the area south of 60° South Latitude, including all ice shelves and islands.
What historical event happened in Antarctica?
1958 – Sir Edmund Hillary on ice Edmund Hillary reached the South Pole on 4 January 1958 and landed later in 1985, together with Neil Armstrong, in a small plane at the North Pole. He became the first man to stand at both poles as well as the summit of Everest.
When did humans first go to Antarctica?
The first recorded landing on the Antarctic continent took place on February 7, 1821. Men from the American sealer Cecilia, under Captain John Davis, landed at Hughes Bay (64°01’S) looking for seals. Though they were on shore for less than an hour, these men were the first humans to set foot on this new southern land.
When was the last time someone went to Antarctica?
2016–2017 – Eric Philips (guide), Keith Tuffley and Rob Smith ski a new route to the South Pole from the Ross Ice Shelf through the Transantarctic Mountains following the Reedy Glacier. The expedition covers 605 km in 33 days setting off 8 December 2017 and arriving 10 January 2017.
What was the effect of the 1961 treaty?
It was the first arms control agreement established during the Cold War, setting aside the continent as a scientific preserve, establishing freedom of scientific investigation, and banning military activity; for the purposes of the treaty system, Antarctica is defined as all the land and ice shelves south of 60°S …
What is the Antarctic Treaty of 1961?
The Antarctic Treaty came into force on 23 June 1961 after ratification by the twelve countries then active in Antarctic science. The Treaty covers the area south of 60°S latitude. Its objectives are simple yet unique in international relations.
Who really discovered Antarctica?
The first confirmed sighting of mainland Antarctica, on 27 January 1820, is attributed to the Russian expedition led by Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev, discovering an ice shelf at Princess Martha Coast that later became known as the Fimbul Ice Shelf.
Who first set foot on Antarctica?
Roald Amundsen
Americans weren’t far behind: John Davis, a sealer and explorer, was the first person to step foot on Antarctic land in 1821. The race to find Antarctica sparked competition to locate the South Pole—and stoked another rivalry. Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen found it on December 14, 1911.
Why has Antarctica not been explored?
Antarctica was actually discovered by accident. No one knew that this large area of ice and snow existed until it was first spotted in 1820. It wasn’t until 20 years later that Antarctica was confirmed a continent and not just a group of islands.