How Did Douglas Mawson Change The World?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Mawson’s expedition was the first to connect Antarctica to the outside world by

radio

. On his return, Douglas Mawson took his place as a great figure in the Heroic Age of Antarctica Exploration. In 1984, 70 years on, his face appeared on the 100 Australian dollar bank note.

What high school did Douglas Mawson go to?

Douglas was educated at

Rooty Hill

and at Fort Street Model School in Sydney. At the University of Sydney in 1899-1901 he studied mining engineering and graduated B.E. in 1902 when he was appointed as a junior demonstrator in chemistry.

What Mawson achieved?

Sir Douglas Mawson OBE FRS FAA Occupation Geologist, chemistry demonstrator, Antarctic explorer, academic Known for

First ascent of Mount Erebus First team to reach the South Magnetic Pole Sole survivor of Far Eastern Party Australasian

Antarctic Expedition Mawson’s Huts Mawson Plateau

Did Mawson eat Mertz?

But the real story behind it may have been much darker, according to a new book by an award-wining historian, David Day, who suggests

Mawson deliberately starved Mertz to death

– and then boiled up his flesh and ate it. … As he and Mertz began the long trek back, Mawson drastically cut their rations.

How did Mawson and Mertz survive?

After Ninnis and a sledge carrying most of the food disappeared down a crevasse, 311 miles (500 km) from the expedition’s main hut, Mertz and Mawson headed back west, gradually using the dogs to supplement their remaining food stocks. About 100 miles (160 km) from safety,

Mertz died

, leaving Mawson to carry on alone.

Why did Mawson go to Antarctica?

Born in Yorkshire, England, but happily settled in Australia, he had declined the chance to join Robert Falcon Scott’s doomed expedition in order to lead the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, whose chief purpose was

to explore and map some of the most remote fastnesses of the white continent

.

How many times did Mawson go to Antarctica?

David, reached the south magnetic pole on the high ice plateau of Victoria Land on January 16, 1909. The two men made this landmark journey by sledge.

From 1911 to 1914 Mawson

led the Australasian Antarctic Expedition and from 1929 to 1931 directed the combined British, Australian, and New Zealand Antarctic Expedition.

Who Discovered Antarctica?

The race to find

Antarctica

sparked competition to locate the

South Pole

—and stoked another rivalry. Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen

found

it on December 14, 1911. Just over a month later, Robert Falcon Scott

found

it, too. He turned back with disastrous results.

Who went with Mawson to Antarctica?

Embarking on the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) with Mawson,

John King Davis

captained the Aurora with a crew, 31 expeditioners and materials for living huts, and wireless masts to establish the first radio communications in Antarctica.

What does Mawson mean?

The name Mawson was brought to England in the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name

for a stone-mason

. The name was originally derived from the Old English or Old French word masson. Sale.

Why are dogs livers poisonous?


Xylitol and paracetamol

are commonly encountered substances which can cause liver toxicity in dogs. Some blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) and mushrooms produce compounds that damage the liver. Acute ingestion of some plants, particularly cycads, can cause liver failure in dogs.

What are some of the dangers that Antarctic explorers faced?

Explorers in Antarctica face many challenges.

Extreme cold, lack of water, severe windstorms and treacherous crevasses

are obvious physical dangers. Less obvious are the problems of boredom, isolation and loneliness.

Are dog livers toxic?

Though

liver toxicity can occur in dogs of any age

, young dogs are more susceptible to adverse drug reactions and liver damage due to their immature liver metabolism functionality and excretory functions.

What continent is located in the South Pole?

Its latitude is 90 degrees south, and all lines of longitude meet there (as well as at the North Pole, on the opposite end of the Earth). The South Pole is located on

Antarctica

, one of the Earth’s seven continents.

Where is Mawson Base in Antarctica?

Established in 1954, Mawson is the longest continuously operating station south of the Antarctic Circle. Mawson is the most westerly of Australia’s 3 continental stations. It is situated

about 5,200 km south-west of Perth

.

Who was the leader of the expedition that Mawson first joined?

Before returning to Australia, Mawson recruited “the oldest resident of Antarctica”, the polar

veteran Frank Wild

, as leader of one of the proposed mainland bases.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.