The Mawson Expedition

<p>The <strong>Australasian Antarctic Expedition</strong> was a 1911–1914 expedition headed by <a title="Douglas Mawson" href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Mawson">Douglas Mawson</a> that explored the largely uncharted <a title= "Antarctica" href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctica">Antarctic</a> coast due south of <a title="Australia (continent)" href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_(continent)">Australia</a>. Mawson had been inspired to lead his own venture by his experiences on <a title="Ernest Shackleton" href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Shackleton">Ernest Shackleton</a>'s <a class="mw-redirect" title= "Nimrod expedition" href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nimrod_expedition"><em>Nimrod</em> expedition</a> in 1907–1909. During its time in Antarctica, the expedition's sledging parties covered around 4,180 kilometres (2,600 mi) of unexplored territory, while its ship, <a title="SY Aurora" href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SY_Aurora">SY <em>Aurora</em></a>, navigated 2,900 kilometres (1,800 mi) of unmapped coastline. Scientific activities included <a class="mw-redirect" title= "Meteorological" href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteorological">meteorological</a> measurements, magnetic observations, an expansive <a class="mw-redirect" title="Oceanographic" href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oceanographic">oceanographic</a> program, and the collection of many biological and geological samples, including the discovery of the <a title= "Adelie Land meteorite" href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adelie_Land_meteorite">first meteorite found in Antarctica</a>. The expedition was the first to establish and maintain <a title="Wireless" href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless">wireless</a> contact between Antarctica and Australia. Another planned innovation – the use of an aircraft – was thwarted by an accident before the expedition sailed. The plane's fuselage was adapted to form a motorised sledge or "air-tractor", but it proved to be of very limited use.<br /> <br />