TWO North-East geological experts hope their visit to the Antarctic will increase the understanding of volcanoes.

Professor Jon Davidson, 45, head of Durham University's earth sciences department, and Dr Dougal Jerram, 35, a lecturer at the university, spent two weeks last month on a US project in the Antarctic.

They hope their research on rock formations forged 180 million years ago can reveal how some volcanoes work.

The pair, who continued Durham's geological research tradition, were examining rocks created during volcanic eruptions when the earth's tectonic plates were formed, in an attempt to understand how magma flows develop.

While there, they visited a hut built by Captain Robert Scott, who died after he was beaten to the South Pole by the Norwegian Amundsen in 1912.

Prof Davidson said: "We can learn things here that we cannot from other volcanoes because they are not extinct.

"It was surprisingly clement. When we were in camp, it was only a few degrees below zero and if it was sunny and there was no wind, you could sit outside in a T-shirt."

Dr Jerram said: "We were privileged to be involved in what was an American-funded expedition.''

The pair, who have visited sites across the world, described the expedition as a highlight.