The Hidden World Beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet | John Priscu | TEDxBozeman

The speaker reflects on their 30-year career working in Antarctica, which began as a junior faculty member at MSU. Initially, Antarctica was viewed as a lifeless, harsh environment, often depicted as a 'dead continent' in early explorers' accounts. However, the speaker, with a background in biology, was troubled by this perception, especially considering Antarctica's size—twice that of Australia and the fifth largest continent on Earth. The continent's unique characteristics, such as being the highest, driest, and coldest, were highlighted, along with the alarming fact that 99% of it is covered by ice, which is melting and contributing to rising sea levels. The speaker's journey to challenge the prevailing view of Antarctica involved leading an international team to search for life and liquid water on the continent. The discovery of over 200 lakes, including the massive Lake Vostok, and river systems beneath the ice sheet has revolutionized our understanding of Antarctica as a continent teeming with life and ecological importance.

The narrative shifts to the speaker's personal account of an expedition to Lake Woolens in Antarctica. The logistical challenges of conducting research in such a remote and inhospitable environment are underscored by the description of setting up a large-scale 'camping expedition' with the necessary equipment and supplies. The team's journey to the field site involved flying in supplies, using icebreakers, and traversing 800 miles with 14 Caterpillar tractors pulling sleds loaded with gear. The arduous trek followed the trail of Robert Falcon Scott, adding a historical dimension to the expedition. Upon arrival, the team faced further challenges, including an aircraft getting stuck in the snow, which had to be freed before continuing. The establishment of a field camp with living quarters, a skiway for aircraft, and round-the-clock work to drill through the ice to reach the lake is detailed. The use of Tyvek suits for environmental cleanliness during sampling highlights the scientific rigor and the team's commitment to preserving the integrity of their findings. The culmination of the expedition was the discovery of life in the lake, marking a significant moment in the study of Antarctica's biodiversity.

In the final paragraph, the speaker transitions from their terrestrial Antarctic research to the broader implications for space exploration. The newfound understanding of Antarctica as a living ecosystem with potential implications for climate change has reshaped the global perception of the continent. The speaker's involvement with NASA and the study of extraterrestrial moons, particularly Europa, is discussed. The presence of oceans beneath the ice of these moons suggests the possibility of life beyond Earth, a tantalizing prospect that drives current research and future missions. The speaker emphasizes the need to think and explore beyond traditional boundaries, encapsulating the spirit of discovery that has propelled both Antarctic and space exploration. The narrative concludes with a call to action, urging the scientific community and society at large to embrace the challenge of finding life in the most unexpected places.