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Douglas Mawson
last update: Jan 24, 2008 06:53 PM
1882 - 1958
Nationality: Australian
Place of Birth:
Grave:
Biography
Mawson, a geologist, had a desire to explore unknown area west of Cape Adare. On 2 December 1911 the "Aurora", leaving from Hobart, began its journey down south. In January 1912, the explorers sighted new land, naming it King George V and on 7 January 1912, they entered a bay - naming it Commonwealth Bay. They then set up a base at Cape Denison, a stormy location. During 1912 and 1913, the team explored King George V and Terre Adélie. On this journey they found the first meteorite ever found in Antarctica. On 25 September 1912, the explorers also made their first radio contact to another continent.
After surviving a dangerous dog-sledging expedition, extremely stormy weather conditions, and severe hunger, they returned to Australia in February 1914. On 18 August 1929, Mawson departed from Cardiff on his "Discovery" expedition for British, Australian and New Zealand research and discovered MacRobertson Land as well as Proclamation Island.
On 22 March 1930, Mawson sailed on his second summer expedition. They returned home again on 19 March 1931.
