| Summary: | The vast East Antarctic Ice sheet covers numerous lakes that may have existed for millions of years. These lakes have captured the attention and curiosity of both the scientific community and the public (SCAR, 1999 (A)). Major interest lies in the biota, geology, age and formation of the lakes and other secrets that the lakes may contain within their icy waters and within their sedimen layers. The largest of these lakes, Lake Vostok, is a remarkably large lake which lies far beneath the East Antarctic ice sheet. In September 1999, a workshop was held in Cambridge to develop a science plan for the exploration of the lake. The workshop considered the possibilities for scientific research and concluded that the lake systems would hold valuable scientific information. In the workshops supporting materials, The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) considered the question ' 'To drill or not to drill". The focus of this literature review will be on this question. This issue is important to the future of Antarctica's environment as it relates not only to Lake Vostok, but also to other subglacial and surface Antarctic lakes. Firstly, this report outlines the background of the Lake Vostok discovery and some of the special features of the lake. The report is then divided into two sections. One section deals with reasons for drilling Lake Vostok. This part will examine the benefits of drilling Lake Vostok for interested parties, for other Antarctic lakes systems and international drilling in general. The next section discusses why drilling should not take place. It will deal with the environmental and ethical reasons for not drilling Lake Vostok. This section will also look at the possible impacts of drilling Lake Vostok for other drilling programs in the Antarctic. Through this literature review, an assessment will be made of whether drilling impacts can be minimised adequately for it to proceed and whether drilling should take place on ethical grounds. The vast East Antarctic Ice sheet covers numerous lakes that ...
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