Planet Money · Wednesday, August 26, 2026
In 1979, NPR sent science reporter Ira Flato to Antarctica, capturing sounds of wildlife and human activity. His reports highlighted the continent's natural wonders, including penguins and Weddell seals, as well as the functional aspects of McMurdo Station, a US research base.
“This is just a taste of what the Antarctic Treaty is trying to protect.”
“McMurdo Station. That is the US operated base for scientific research.”
“McMurdo itself is unlike the rest of the continent. McMurdo is the New York City of Antarctica, noisier, dirtier, and more developed than any other base.”