Main Idea 2

NN 76

Now, scientists are trying to find

out how they were formed. Australia,

Britain, Canada, China, Germany,

Japan and the United States are

conducting a study. Scientists use

special light aircraft, loaded with

instruments, such as radar. The planes

collect data about the size and shape

of the mountains, as well as about the

layers of ice above them. The scientists

also measure earthquake activity.

There are three theories about how

the Gamburtsev Mountains formed.

The first is that Antarctica is made

up of two huge landmasses. These

smashed together 540 million years

ago, forming the mountains in the

collision. The second is also that two

landmasses collided, but far more

recently, meaning Antarctica is not

as old as scientists have believed. The

third theory is that there may be a giant

volcano under Antarctica. Its activity

has formed the mountains. When all

the information has been collected and

studied, the mystery of the Gamburtsev

Mountains may be solved.

Studying the Gamburtsev

Mountain Range

sea level

1,000 m

2,000 m

3,000 m

4,000 m

Radio waves are reflected by the mountains below the ice.

ice

Scientists from many different countries work together in Antarctica.

A small plane emits then collects the radio waves.

5,000 m

Mystery in

AntarcticaScientists from different countries

are studying a mysterious range of

mountains in Antarctica. Although their

peaks rise to about 3,500 m, higher than

the European Alps, no one can see these

mountains. They are buried under

ice up to 4 km thick. Until they were

discovered in 1958, no one even

knew they were there. For a long

time, scientists believed that there

could not be mountains there. They are

the Gamburtsev Mountain Range – and

they are a mystery.

Location of the Gamburtsev

Mountain Range

0 1000 2000 Miles

0 1000 2000 3000 Kilometres

South Pole

area studied

0 km 2,000

ANTARCTICA

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