We arrived into the Drake Passage overnight after leaving the shelter of the South Shetland Islands. Sometimes known for rough seas, the Drake Passage forms a narrow point linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. In keeping with an authentic experience, we were treated to something in the region of four meters of swell throughout the day. As we had been quite lucky with weather throughout the trip so far, this moderate Drake crossing was no problem, and many chose to relax and unwind after such a busy few weeks. Some chose to remain on deck and up in the bridge, however, to enjoy the spectacle that is the Southern Ocean as the ship crashed through the waves with numerous seabirds in pursuit.
Onboard, we also continued with our lecture schedule. Historian Andrew Atkin discussed the history of the the study of the earth’s magnetism and how it tied into the history of polar exploration. Then, after lunch, naturalist Adam Cropp gave a clear and unambiguous account of the evidence for global climate change, and the likely role of human activity in its acceleration. Finally, after afternoon tea, National Geographic photographer Jeff Mauritzen provided a tutorial on photo processing and library management, to help people in dealing with the vast number of images taken on this trip. In all, it was a much needed day of relaxation on the final leg of our journey around the Scotia Sea and Antarctica.
