Transcript:

We're listening to the remarkable sounds of Weddell seals, recorded under the ice shelf of Antarctica. This month marks the start of the seals' mating season. Making these recordings in the extreme conditions of Antarctica was no easy task. In a moment, we'll hear how it was done. I'm Jim Metzner, and this is the Pulse of the Planet, presented by the American Museum of Natural History.

Composer and acoustician Douglas Quin spent two months in Antarctica, where careful preparation can make the difference between getting a good quality recording and just surviving the experience.

"Logistics in Antarctica are really tricky and a great deal of thought is given to planning even the most straightforward operation. The preparations include dressing appropriately for situations that may change very suddenly and very dramatically and covering one's face carefully and using a lot of sun block was critical because of the lack of an ozone layer; exposed skin could burn very quickly. And wind burn and frostbite were very much of a concern for our work. In heading out on an expedition, we would often pack a survival kit with enough food for three days, a tent and changes of clothing. This pack weighs nearly fifty pounds and was required on every single excursion, even if you were only going a hundred or two hundred yards offshore, you had to bring your survival bag with you, because the weather can sometimes change and a front [can] come howling in and visibility be reduced to no more than a few inches. I remember one day, I could not see the end of my hand in a storm. So one can get very disoriented and have to quickly set up camp and weather out storms as they come through."

Pulse of the Planet is presented by the American Museum of Natural History. Additional funding for this series has been provided by the National Science Foundation. I'm Jim Metzner.