A geologist from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Nugroho Imam Setiawan, Ph.D., successfully completed a research expedition in Antarctica as part of the Japan Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE). He became the first researcher from UGM as well as the first ASEAN representative to have the opportunity to participate in research concerning the future of Earth in the southern polar region.
This lecturer from the Department of Geological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, UGM, participated in the 58th JARE Expedition for approximately four months, from November 27, 2016 to March 22, 2017. The expedition involved 80 members, 35 of whom were researchers. The research was divided into ten fields of study, encompassing meteorology, atmospheric science, terrestrial biology, oceanography, geophysics, geodesy, and geology.
“I was part of the geology team, which consisted of eight people. We conducted direct geological surveys in the field for approximately 30 days,” Nugroho told journalists on Thursday (29/3) at the UGM Leadership Meeting Room.
Within the team, each member held specific responsibilities. Nugroho was tasked with conducting daily weather observations, recording atmospheric conditions twice a day. More detailed observations were carried out when helicopter flights were scheduled to support field activities.
During the expedition, Antarctica was in the midst of its summer season, meaning the sun shone for a full 24 hours every day. Air temperatures were recorded ranging from minus 5 degrees Celsius at night to minus 2 degrees Celsius during the day, with a maximum temperature reaching 2 degrees Celsius.
Throughout the research, the geology team carried out routine sampling of metamorphic rocks at various locations. The eight survey points explored included Akebono, Akarui, Tenmondai, Skallevikhalsen, Rundvågshetta, Langhovde, West Ongul, and Mount Riiser-Larsen.
“We endeavored to uncover the presence of metamorphic rocks — the oldest rocks on Earth, estimated to be up to 3.8 billion years old — which are exposed at the surface in Antarctica,” he explained.
At the research sites, Nugroho and his team discovered two main types of rocks: metamorphic rocks and granite and granodiorite, including a combination of the two known as migmatite. They also frequently encountered rocks with a honeycomb structure, formed as a result of wind abrasion under dry climatic conditions on rock surfaces.
Across all survey areas, the geology team collected rock samples weighing between 10 and 20 kilograms at each site. In total, more than three tons of metamorphic rock samples were collected. A total of 141 samples, with a combined weight of approximately 200 kilograms, are planned to be sent to Indonesia for further analysis.
These rocks will be analyzed in depth to uncover the history of Earth’s formation and evolution. Nugroho hopes the findings of this study will make a significant contribution to understanding the dynamics of this planet’s development.
The UGM Rector at the time, Prof. Ir. Dwikorita Karnawati, M.Eng., Ph.D., expressed her appreciation for Nugroho’s achievement. She extended her congratulations on his distinction as the first researcher from UGM to set foot in Antarctica.
Dwikorita conveyed her pride that UGM had been entrusted to participate in international research to uncover the history of Earth, even without having its own research facilities directly in Antarctica. She noted that this trust reflects the academic capacity and competence of UGM’s human resources, which are recognized on a global scale.
She expressed hope that this research would enrich the understanding of Earth’s history and formation processes, thereby helping to project future conditions of the planet and supporting efforts to mitigate various potential risks.
“May this achievement inspire other young researchers to dare to leap further and advance innovation in research,” she concluded.
Author: UGM Public Relations
Source: https://ugm.ac.id/id/berita/13585-geolog-ugm-ungkap-kondisi-bumi-di-antartika/