Polar-Date March 6, 2008
The last journal had a picture of "reindeer candy” also know as lichen. If you go to the photo gallery, you can find the picture and learn about lichen.
Today finds the PolarTREC teachers learning how to upload audio into journals and how to turn the audio into podcasts. This particular training is one I have been waiting for, ever since I edited my audio recording using Audacity. This training will also enable me to get more involved with students sharing information through podcasting also.
In yesterday’s journal I spoke of a trip through the permafrost tunnel. The Army Core of Engineers maintains the tunnel. Dr. Matthew Sturm, the tunnel expert, graciously met the group inside the little warming trailer that serves as his tunnel office and conference area. He explained a little about the history of the tunnel and answered many questions about how he came to be in charge of the tunnel and what education and background experiences he has had.
After donning hardhats and distributing flashlights, the intrepid group was ready to explore.
Going into the permafrost tunnel.
For more information on the permafrost tunnel, click on the link below.
If only the journal had a scratch and sniff function, you would be able to smell the distinctive odor of the permafrost tunnel. It’s not surprising that it smells stinky once you know that the permafrost soil in this 107-meter tunnel is 40,000 years old. As the tunnel slowly thaws, plants and animals that have been dead for tens of thousands of years are being exposed and are in the process of decay.
What would NASA want with an old permafrost tunnel? Read about the amazing find in 2005 from the tunnel - a new genus species. Click on the link below to see a picture of Carnobacterium pleistocenium and read the story behind the discovery.
That’s all for now, remember to visit the photo gallery for more pictures and information.