Geology of Antarctica > Torgersen Island 360 by Palmer Station

This 360 degree panorama was shot on a rare clear, sunny day (January 16, 2012) at the high point of Torgersen Island near Palmer Station, Antarctica. It shows Palmer Station on Gamage Point, Anvers Island, against the backdrop of the Marr Ice Piedmont, Mts. Agamemnon and Francais, Mt. Moberly, Mt. William, the southern range on Wiencke Island, and the mountains of the southern Danco Coast of the West Antarctic Peninsula. Most of the remaining Adélie penguins nesting on Torgersen are visible, and the colorful foreground shows large sections of one of Antarctica's two flowering plants, Antarctic hairgrass (Deschampsia antarctica), as well as green cushion-forming mosses. Antarctic hairgrass numbers and extent are increasing rapidly in the vicinity as the climate warms. The foreground rocks are blanketed by bright orange lichen. Torgersen, like other island in the Palmer Station vicinity, is notable for its abundant populations of the wingless midge Belgica antarctica, an endemic species significant because it is the southernmost, free-living true insect, whose larvae are exceptionally tolerant of freezing, anoxia, osmotic stress and desiccation. The sailing vessel Mina2 is visible anchored between Humble Island and Amsler Island. Gigapan photo composed of 238 pictures shot on January 16, 2012 by Paul Queior and Natalie Harr on behalf of Dr. Rick Lee's "bugger" science team B-256-P which studies the wingless midge under NSF/OPP Award 0837559, and in support of their educational outreach program with Crestwood Local School District in Ohio.