Antarctica Expedition

The Antarctica with its dominant cryosphere and associated fragile environment is considered unique natural laboratories for scientific research in multiple domains of Geology, Glaciology, Geophysics, Geomagnetism, Zoology, Botany, Microbiology, Upper Atmospheric Studies, Environmental and Climate change studies.

Geological Survey of India has played a pivotal and significant role initially in Indian Antarctic Program. A total number of 124 GSI officers have participated so far in all the 35 Indian Antarctic Expeditions undertaken till date. Polar Studies Division of GSI has contributed in the National Antarctic Programme in a very significant way by providing 12 Leaders, 4 Dy. Leader, 3 Voyage Leader and 4 Observers in various Antarctic Expeditions. The geological studies pursued by GSI resulted in understanding geological evolution of Dronning Maud Land especially with reference to growth of continents through its involvement in multiple episodes of orogeny.

More than 3000 rock samples during the course of regional and thematic geological mapping in different parts of East Antarctica have been collected by GSI. These samples are meant for the use of entire scientific community and are kept in Antarctica Rock Repository which is a national repository located at GSI, Faridabad. More than ten geological maps have been published so far, which have been circulated widely among institutes having Antarctic relevance both within and outside India.