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Why the
Dry Valleys of
Antarctica are special
 They are one of the driest places on earth. Rainfall has been
extremely rare during the past two million years.
When NASA noticed a similarity
between the ultra dry landscapes of Mars and the Dry Valleys, it decided to conduct
research in these desolate Antarctica valleys in preparation for its
Viking missions to Mars.
Dry Valleys
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This
4,000 square kilometer (1600 square mile) area is one of the few Antarctica places
not covered with ice.
One reason is the
atmosphere is so dry that it rarely snows. When it does, the snowfall is sparse
and evaporates quickly.
The
second and most important reason is that mountains block the path of glaciers
that would otherwise pass over the Dry Valleys. What glacial ice reaches the
valleys is skimpy and evaporates within several weeks. If it were not for the
mountain barrier, the Dry Valleys would be buried under the ice cap, as is most
of Antarctica.
The Dry Valleys are near
the Ross Ice Shelf, and even closer to the US operated McMurdo Station. The
latter is known for its ecological and environmental research.
There
are three major valleys (Taylor, Victoria and Wright), which are separated by
iceless mountain ridges.
The
valley floors are scattered with small and large rocks. Some of the rocks have
been shaped over time into grotesque forms by the valley's strong winds.
The
land is not entirely lifeless. Some small scale life (including
fungi) have evolved into life forms that live inside the porous rocks.
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