Often referred to as the last intact marine ecosystem on the planet, the Ross Sea region contains the world’s largest protected marine park area spanning 600,000 square miles – one and a half times the size of the largest national park on land.
Antarctic iceberg and cloud landscape reflecting calm waters near Ross Island
Wonderful Wildlife
One of the most productive areas of the Southern Ocean with seasonal fluctuations, the region is home to around half of Ross Sea orcas and South Pacific Weddell seals, more than 30% of the world’s Adélie penguins and Antarctic petrels, and around 25% of all emperor penguins. Minke whales are common sights here, as are Crabeater and Leopard seals.
Crabeater seals float on Ross Sea ice
There are 95 fish species and over 1,000 invertebrate species in the depths, with rare and vulnerable species such as unique sponges that live for up to half a century, plus breeding grounds, habitats and other areas of importance for ecosystem integrity.
Orcas jumping from the sea
Ross Sea Ice Shelf
The edge of the shelf
Several hundred metres thick, the Ross Sea ice shelf is the largest ice shelf on the planet and measures 193,363 square miles – which is the same size as France. This magnificent ice shelf exists on a colossal scale, something that has to be seen to be believed – though few are lucky enough to have witnessed such awe-inspiring views, owing to its geographical remoteness.
McMurdo Dry Valleys
Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo
The Ross Sea region is home to the McMurdo Dry Valleys, which scientists consider to be the closest terrestrial environment on earth to Mars! Covering a surface area of around 1,850 square miles, the valley’s frozen lakes, extensive areas of exposed soil, very low temperatures, limited precipitation, and salt accumulation give it these extraterrestrial conditions.
Sea mist in McMurdo Sound
The McMurdo Dry Valleys remain dry because the precipitation that falls as snow on the Antarctic is blown away from this area by strong, dry, katabatic winds reaching speeds of up to 200 mph, heating as they descend and evaporating all water, ice, and snow.
Mount Erebus
Mount Erebus
The southernmost active volcano in the world, Mount Erebus straddles Ross Island and is the sixth tallest mountain on the continent, having been active for well over a million years. If you are lucky enough on the day, you might catch a view of spluttering lava or UFO-shaped clouds emanating from the top, juxtaposed against the pristine polar landscape.
Ice Legends
Ernest Shackleton’s Cape Royds hut
Some of the most famous Antarctic explorers have braved the Ross Sea seeking the most direct passage to the South Pole and cementing their reputations as polar pioneers. Scott and Shackleton famously led expeditions from here, until Roald Amundsen controversially pipped Scott’s team to the pole in 1911, beating them to the prize by a month.
History fanatics will love visiting the old expedition huts that still stand to this day, encased in time by the frozen conditions. The hut interiors, which include Scott’s hut in Terra Nova Bay and Shackleton’s Cape Royds hut on Ross Island, have been preserved just as they were over a hundred years ago.
If you would like help to find your perfect expedition cruise, simply complete the enquiry form to get in touch.
Alternatively, call our Polar Specialists on 020 3481 6471.
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