Geological Survey of India
The First Indian Expedition To South Pole
Ashit Kumar Swain, a geologist from Antarctica Division made GSI proud by being part
of the first Indian scientific expedition to South Pole, lead by Dr. Rasik Ravindra,
Director NCAOR (ex-GSI). The other members of team included Mirza Javed Beg, an
ex-geologist of GSI, Thamban Meloth, an ice-core drilling expert, Ajay Dhar, a
geophysicist, Dr. Pradip Malhotra, a central government health scheme doctor, Krishna
Murthy and Surat Singh, technical experts.
The expedition to South Pole is unique as it took the least traveled rugged land route to
South Pole from the Indian Base Maitri. The Indian team started its arduous journey
aboard four Arctic trucks (Hilux) carrying the entire expedition team along with luggage
and equipment at 9000 Hrs on 15th Nov 2010. The team had an ambitious scientific
program to be carried out en route to South Pole. They were equipped with dual
frequency ground penetrating radar (GPR), shallow ice coring machine, digital flux-gate
magnetometer and vehicle mounted weather station. Ashit Kumar Swain from GSI was
entrusted with the all important work of carrying out GPR studies to determine the bed
rock profile and ice condition along the route.
On 16th November 2010, the team reached Polar plateau at 74°06’S & 10°54’E and got
the first feel of Antarctic Chill with -40° Celsius temperature which was compounded by
severe wind chill factor. Going was tough but the determination was high on agenda.
Ashit mounted the GPR equipment at the back of the vehicle and started his work. On
18th November 2010 the team reached the midway point at south 83° latitude which was
at an altitude of 2800 meters. The team finally reached the South Pole on 21st
November 2010 after covering a distance of 2240 km from Maitri, the Indian Base (see
map). The average temperature faced by the team was between -20 degree and -30
degree with minimum reaching to -40 degree. On reaching the South Pole the GSI
member carried out GPR survey primarily to determine the ice condition and bed rock
profile in the region.
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Geological Survey of India
Some interesting observations were made using GPR in the vicinity of Polar Plateau at
South 72 degree latitude throwing light on magnitude of snow accumulation and relief of
polar ice cap. In the vicinity of the South Pole at 89° 47.795 S: 230 38.126 W the profile
obtained showed subglacial layers due to snow accumulation. The huge amount of data
collected will be analyzed later.
The team, after a halt of three days at the South Pole, started the journey back via the
same route and reached Maitri on 1st Dec 2010, thus creating a history. By then the
team had covered a total distance of 4680 km during the expedition and braved the
Antarctic climatic vagaries and uncertainties. Shri Rasik Ravindra and his team were
accorded a warm welcome at the Indian Base Maitri. GSI is proud of this expedition as it
is a milestone achievement and the first of its kind in the realm of our scientific pursuits.
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Geological Survey of India
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Geological Survey of India
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