Antarctic Journal

Summary

In *Antarctic Journal*, Jennifer Owings Dewey recounts her transformative four-month journey to Antarctica. Through vivid and personal journal entries, she captures the stark beauty and harsh realities of the frozen continent. From navigating severe storms to observing wildlife like penguins and whales, Dewey reflects on the delicate balance of life in such an extreme environment. Her insights into isolation, survival, and the scientific explorations in Antarctica highlight both the awe and challenges of this remote wilderness, leaving readers with a deep sense of respect for its fragile ecosystem.

Takeaways

• 😀 The journal is a personal record of Jennifer Owings Dewey's four-month experience in Antarctica, reflecting her thoughts and observations.
• 😀 Antarctica is depicted as an incredibly remote and harsh environment, the 'bottom of the world,' with extreme cold, winds, and isolation.
• 😀 Jennifer describes her journey from home to Antarctica, passing through Chile, where she receives clothing and prepares for the challenging conditions ahead.
• 😀 The ship journey through the Drake Passage is filled with awe, witnessing wildlife such as humpback whales and seabirds in the vast Southern Ocean.
• 😀 Palmer Station is introduced as a small, isolated research base, where strict safety rules and environmental preservation are emphasized.
• 😀 Antarctica's fragile ecosystem is highlighted, including the preservation of moss and the careful approach needed when traveling on the land.
• 😀 Jennifer spends time on Litchfield Island, reflecting on the silence and beauty of Antarctica, while also learning about the challenges faced by wildlife like penguins.
• 😀 The challenges of Antarctica’s wildlife are described, such as penguins struggling with heat stroke due to the harsh weather, and the dangerous presence of orcas.
• 😀 An encounter with orcas and a penguin hunt serves as a stark reminder of the predator-prey balance in the Antarctic wilderness.
• 😀 Jennifer faces a terrifying moment when she nearly falls into a crevasse, but manages to escape, experiencing the extreme isolation and beauty of the landscape.

Q & A

What is the main theme of Jennifer Owings Dewey's Antarctic Journal?

The main theme of the journal is the writer's exploration and experiences in Antarctica, documenting her personal reflections, the harsh environment, and the interactions with wildlife and fellow researchers.

How does Dewey describe the environment of Antarctica in her journal?

Dewey describes Antarctica as a remote, forbidding region characterized by extreme cold, high winds, and an overall sense of isolation. She emphasizes the dangers of the environment, including the constant threat of storms and the challenges posed by the icy landscape.

What is significant about the rules at Palmer Station?

The rules at Palmer Station ensure safety, particularly in harsh conditions. These include no travel alone, signing out when leaving, checking in hourly with the base, and using walkie-talkies. They also emphasize the importance of using sunscreen and carrying emergency supplies.

What role does Krill play in the Antarctic food chain according to Dewey?

Krill is a crucial link in the Antarctic food chain, feeding on phytoplankton and being consumed by penguins, seals, and whales. Despite its tiny size, Krill forms the foundation of the diet for many large animals in the region.

What does Dewey learn about the relationship between whales and ships in the Antarctic waters?

Dewey learns that in Antarctic waters, whales have the right of way over ships. The crew stops the vessel to let the whales pass, highlighting the respect for marine life in these remote waters.

How does Dewey describe her interaction with the orcas near Old Palmer?

Dewey describes a frightening encounter with orcas in Arthur Harbor. The orcas attacked and killed penguins, reminding Dewey of the harsh predator-prey relationships that exist in the wilderness of Antarctica.

What dangerous experience did Dewey have on the glacier on Christmas Eve?

On Christmas Eve, Dewey accidentally fell into a crevasse while hiking on a glacier. She was trapped up to her shoulders but managed to escape slowly and carefully, later reflecting on the terrifying but beautiful experience.

What does Dewey find fascinating about the icebergs in Gerlach Strait?

Dewey finds the icebergs in Gerlach Strait mesmerizing, noting their slow, majestic movements and the rainbow colors they reflect under sunlight. She describes the erosion of the ice, the caves, and the animals that use the icebergs as a resting place.

Why does Dewey mention the penguin egg in her journal's conclusion?

Dewey mentions the penguin egg as a reminder of her time in Antarctica. She collected it with permission and kept it safely in her suitcase, symbolizing her connection to the region's wildlife and the unique experiences she had there.

How does Dewey contrast her time in Antarctica with her life back home?

Dewey contrasts the Antarctic wilderness with the desert landscape she will return to. She reflects on how the vast, pristine environment of Antarctica, with its unique ecosystems and wildlife, will remain vivid in her memory once she's back home.