Movies@MNH Earth Month Series: “The Polar Explorer”
Event Details
17 N. Clinton St.
Iowa City, Iowa
Contact Name: Sarah Horgen
Email: sarah-horgen@uiowa.edu
Phone: 319-335-0606
Website: http://uiowa.edu/mnh/
Event Description
Sought by explorers for centuries as a possible trade route, Canada’s Northwest Passage was first navigated by Norwegian Roald Amundsen in 1903–1906, a true polar explorer. Amundsen was the first man to reach the South Pole as well. Until 2009, the Arctic pack ice prevented regular marine shipping throughout most of the year, but climate change has reduced the pack ice, and this Arctic shrinkage has made the waterways more navigable. Now, one of the first scientific expeditions to explore the Passage will be taking place on the aptly named icebreaker, the Amundsen, in October, 2010. The effects of climate change in this Arctic region, in general, and discovering new life on the ocean seabed and other previously inaccessible areas of the Arctic seas, in particular, is the focus of this one-hour HD documentary. This historic journey, featuring the work of 10 of the world’s foremost polar scientists over a two-week crossing, will be the highlight of a film that will also compare and contrast these findings with the latest studies being conducted at the other end of the earth – Antarctica. New scientific discoveries being made related to climate change this year in Antarctica will be included to provide a unique comparison of current climate change research at both ends of the earth. In addition to showing how warmer temperatures are affecting the speed of melting glaciers, icebergs, pack ice and floes, an examination of the drastically changing eco-systems in both areas will be presented. From polar bears to penguins and from new fauna being discovered on land and at the bottom of the sea, a complete scientific profile of our rapidly-changing polar zones is presented in a documentary film for the very first time. [52 minutes, Unrated]
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
17 N Clinton St
Iowa City, IA
319-335-0480
