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Antarctic Undersea ROV 09

Hi Michelle, We have been reading some of your latest entries and the kids have some questions for you. By the way, I really like the format you have been using for the videos- that is so cool! So, here we go: Tyler: Why do seals "chirp"? LJ: How do the seals eat the mawsoni fish- do they have sharp teeth? Alex: How is the the SCINI transported to where you are going? Is it heavy? James: How strong (thick) is the ice you walk on-can you fall through? (picture on journal) Noah: How much does a seal pup weigh? They look so fat. Sam: What is the cross on observation hill for? Amber: How do the fish survive in the cold waters? Carleigh: Why does some of the ice act like a mirror?

Thanks Michelle :) Lollie

Wed, 12/02/2009 - 08:56

Michele Cross

Hi Lollie!Glad you're liking the videos! Apple has allowed me the use of a Macbook in the field and when I get back as it better accommodates what I want to do. So...let me get to the questions, and remember, I'm not a science teacher so bear with me!
Tyler: The seals "chirp" to communicate with each other. I don't believe the chirping is an "upset" sound because I heard the roar when the older one when was upset with the young pup.
LJ: I saw the teeth!! Big and sharp! He was upset that the other seal was so close!
Alex: SCINI is transported in a large metal case that weighs about 50 pounds. It has lots of padding for protection. So that's about 85-90 lbs of weight to carry when we take her somewhere.
James: I fell through as did 3 others. That ice was not as thick as it looked--obviously. Most ice we walk on is at least 9 feet thick. I've been an ice a little over 2 inches, but that made me nervous because I didn't want to fall in again. The water's cold!
Noah: They are pretty fat!! The seal in the pictures was over a year old and definitely weighed more than me!! I'd say he was at least over 250 lbs. for sure!
Sam: The cross on Observation Hill was erected in memory of the members of Scott's (1911-1913) expedition who died while trying to make it back from the South Pole. Their names are inscribed up there, It's sobering to realize that MANY have given their lives in the name of exploration and that we have walked and traveled where they did.
Amber: The fish have an anti-freeze type substance in their blood. Plus, their spleens filter out ice crystals from their blood. Pretty neat, huh?
Carleigh: Hmm...well that day the sky was blue and the ice was on top of almost black dirt. So, it acted like a mirror and reflected the color of the sky back. I thought that was pretty fascinating!!
Thanks for following!! GREAT questions!!
Mrs. Cross