QUESTION:
We are in second grade, and we just finished a unit on penguins.
We also learned that there are certain dry valleys in Antarctica.  We
were wondering if you knew the names of these dry valleys and if penguins
live in them.

        Sincerely,
        Angelica, Hannah, Stephen,
        Danny, and Jackie


ANSWER from STEVE EMSLIE, Paleontologist
            Palmer Station, Antarctica
            Date: Tue, 1 Apr 1997 14:22:25 -0500


Dear Angelica, Hannah, Stephen, Danny, and Jackie,

The largest and best known dry valleys in Antarctica are located on
the east side of McMurdo Sound and cover an area of 3000 square kilometers.  
Three of the largest valleys are named Taylor, Wright, and Victoria Valleys. 
Because they are so dry, with constant winds up to 100 kilometers per
hour, no penguins or other wildlife live in the valleys.  Sometimes,
however, a seal or penguin has wandered into the valleys and died. 
Their carcasses become mummified in this climate and preserve for
thousands of years.  Other dry areas in Antarctica occur on the east
side of the continent, at Vestfold and Bunger Hills.  Now here's a
question for you: do you know of other places on earth where you might
find areas just as dry as the Dry Valleys in Antarctica?

Thanks for your question!

Steve


PS -- sorry this took so long to answer!!