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Indonesian researcher in geological expedition to Antarctic
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Nugroho Imam Setiawan, a member of UGM’s geological engineering department, arrived in the polar region last Friday and is said to be the only Southeast Asian researcher to board the Shirase expedition ship alongside a Japanese Antarctic research team. (Shutterstock/File)
An Indonesian researcher from Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Yogyakarta is currently taking part in an expedition in the Antarctic.
Nugroho Imam Setiawan, a member of UGM’s geological engineering department, arrived in the polar region last Friday and is said to be the only Southeast Asian researcher to board the Shirase expedition ship alongside a Japanese Antarctic research team.
The objective of the expedition is to study geological conditions and the Earth’s future in the most southern part of the world.
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“Thank God there are no storms. We are no longer able to see the night because the sun shines 24 hours here,” said Nugroho as quoted by Antara news agency. The temperature outside the ship is said to be minus 5 degrees Celsius on average.
Nugroho said the Shirase ship was equipped with ice-breaking technology to clear a path in the icy sea. He also noted that Adelie penguins were taking advantage of the technology as they trailed behind the ship in the path where the ice had been cleared to hunt for fish.
The team is set to conduct research on Mount Langhvode’s rock structure. Located in Soya Beach, the mountain sits in the northeast part of the Antarctic. Its top is uncovered by snow, thus the layering structure of the metamorphic rocks can clearly be seen using binoculars and long-lens cameras.
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Nugroho said the team planned to research the habitat and activities of 15 female and 5 male Waddel seals by putting movement sensors and camera on them. One of the female seals is said to be named GAMA, an acronym of Gadjah Mada.
The first part of the research will be conducted for 41 days until Feb. 5, 2017. (mas/kes)
