QUESTION:   
Do you think Antarctica will ever be like the U.S. and 
have people living there permanently?  
            Lauren N., 6th grader from Donna O'Callaghan's class, 
            Taylor Road Middle School, Alpharetta, Georgia

ANSWER from POLLY PENHALE, NSF Program Manager
Organization:  Palmer Station, Antarctica
Date:          Thu, 30 Jan 1997 20:23:58 -0500


       I don't think that there is much of a possibility that 
people will permanently settle Antarctica in any big way. Many 
nations do have permanent research stations, but these rely totally 
on materials shipped down from home countries. There is no way for 
these stations to become self-sufficient, since there crops aren't 
grown and livestock isn't raised. Even if the climate would allow for 
this, the Antarctic Treaty prevents the introduction of non-
indigenous species--that is species, which do not already live here. 
So, there will be people in Antarctica as long as nations make a 
committment to provide food, shelter and fuel to their scientists and 
station workers.