Science: Under the Pole

Polar scientists have long speculated on what lies beneath the ice-covered surface of the South Pole, which is 9,200 ft. above sea level. Last week the best look yet beneath the Pole came from the Rev. Daniel Linehan, S.J., seismologist, burly professor of geophysics at Boston College and onetime (1923) guard on a good B.C. football team. Jesuit Linehan's findings: the Pole is underlain by rock above sea level.

Working under Rear Admiral George J. Dufek, commander of Operation Deep Freeze Three, Linehan set off three blasts of TNT in a 48-ft. crater not far from Paul Siple's camp. (The crater had...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!