Antarctic Connection Exclusive!
This year's marker highlights the 100 year anniversary of Roald Amundsen and Robert Scott both attaining the South Pole. The silhouetted images are of the parties taken from actual photos while at the Pole. The text around the inner circle reads, "Amundsen - December 14, 1911.... Scott - January 17, 1912". The outer circle text reads, "100 Years at Latitude 90* South, Geographic South Pole, NSF, January 1, 2012".
These U.S. Geological Survey markers are replicas of originals placed at the South Pole annually. The geographic South Pole sits at 9300 feet (2385m) above sea level. The actual South Pole is covered by roughly 9000 feet (2700m) of moving glacial ice therefore these layers move approximately 30 feet (10 m) annually. Each January 1st, the position of 90 degrees south is re-determined and a new, unique survey marker is erected.
* Paperweight is made of pewter and is 3 1/4 inches in diameter.
* Comes with an acrylic stand and a velvety pouch for storage.
* Each paperweight has a felted bottom to avoid scratches.
