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350 BCE
Ancient Greeks Theories
They knew about the Arctic - named Arktos -The Bear, from the constellation the great bear and decided that in order to balance the world, there should be a similar cold Southern landmass that was the same but the opposite "Ant - Arktos" - opposite The Bear. -
Discovery of Antarctica
James Cook first crossed the Antarctic Continent in 1773, on the Ship, Resolution. -
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Captain Thaddeus Bellingshausen
Captain Thaddeus Bellingshausen, was a Russian Naval Officer, who circumnavigated Antarctica, and was the first to cross the Antarctic Circle since Captain James Cook -
First known landing on Continental Antarctica
On February 7th, American Sealer Captain John Davis landed on Antarctica, and in the same year, a crew of 10 Men spent Winter on the icy Continent. -
New Sea discovered
British whaler James Weddell discovers the sea named after him and then reaches the most southerly point at that time 74° 15' S. -
Volcano and Ice Shelf discovered
In 1840, British naval officer and scientist James Clark Ross takes two ships, the Erebus and the Terror, to within 80 miles of the coast until stopped by a massive ice barrier - now called the Ross Ice Shelf. He also discovers the active volcano that he names after his ship Erebus, -
The First Scientific Expedition
Adrien de Gerlache and the crew of the "Belgica" become trapped in pack ice off the Antarctic Peninsula in the first scientific expedition to the continent. They become the first to survive an Antarctic winter(involuntarily!) as their ship drifts with the ice. -
Scott, Shackleton and Wilson
Captain Scott, UK, leads his first Antarctic expedition to try to reach the South Pole, with Ernest Shackleton and Edward Wilson. They are forced to turn back two months later having reached 82 degrees south, suffering from snow blindness and scurvy. -
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Attempt of South Pole Discovery
Ernest Shackleton leads expedition to within 156km / 97mls of the South Pole, turns back after supplies are exhausted -
Douglas Mawson
In January, Australian Douglas Mawson reaches the South Magnetic Pole. -
Discovery of South Pole
December 14th. Norwegian Roald Amundsen leads a five man expedition that reaches the South Pole for the first time. -
Falcon Scott, loses journey
January 18th. Britain's Captain Robert Falcon Scott reaches the South Pole to discover he has been beaten by Amundsen. All of the five man team (Scott, Bowers, Evans, Oates and Wilson), are to perish on the return journey only 11 miles from supply depot. Bodies are not discovered until November. -
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Ernest Shackleton, almost dead
Ernest Shackleton returns to Antarctica in an attempt to complete the first crossing of the continent. The goal is not attained, but one of the greatest adventures of all time follows. Their ship is crushed in the sea ice and a small party sets out for South Georgia and the whaling station. The party is eventually rescued in 1917. -
Antarctic Treaty Established
12 nations establish over 60 stations in Antarctica. The beginning of international cooperation in Antarctica and the start of the process by which Antarctica becomes 'Non National' -
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Antarctic Treaty
12 nations establish over 60 stations in Antarctica. The beginning of international cooperation in Antarctica and the start of the process by which Antarctica becomes 'Non National'. The Antarctic Treaty comes into effect in 1961
