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Antarctic Treaty

All articles tagged with #antarctic treaty

science28 days ago•27 min saved

Antarctica’s Mount Erebus Spits Gold Dust, but Mining Is Off Limits

Mount Erebus on Ross Island hosts a persistent lava lake whose volcanic gases can carry trace gold particles into the plume. Estimates suggest about 80 grams of gold could be emitted daily (roughly 29 kilograms per year), a multi‑million‑dollar value, but any recovery would violate the Antarctic Treaty Environmental Protocol, keeping the gold out of reach while scientists study Erebus’ magma dynamics and its unique icy environment.

via ZME Science|

#antarctic-treaty #antarctica #gold

world3 months ago•5 min saved

Russia’s 511-Billion-Barrel Find in Antarctica Tests the Antarctic Treaty

Russia says seismic surveys off Antarctica’s Weddell Sea identified about 511 billion barrels of oil, a claim that could challenge the Antarctic Treaty’s mining ban by blurring science and prospecting. The work, conducted by Rosgeo aboard the Akademik Alexander Karpinsky, has raised concerns in London about whether such data could enable future extraction if treaty safeguards weaken, and about Moscow’s expanding footprint in a matter where seven countries claim parts of the continent. No violation has been proven, and Article VII allows inspections, but the next Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting is expected to weigh tighter transparency on seismic activity; for now no drilling has occurred.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#antarctic-treaty #oil-reserves #rosgeo