One day, when you use an animated map that allows you to "fly" through the mountains and valleys of the Antarctica, you may have Liz Miller to thank.

As a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University, Miller was one of a team of researchers in the winter of 2006-7 helping create more detailed maps of Antarctica's peaks and valleys.

She also collected rock samples from volcanoes dating back 1 million to 4 million years. The samples give her and others a picture of the tectonic history of the region, telling them that at one time Antarctica was closer to the equator.

Antarctica's icy surface makes it difficult to traverse, so Miller and others were taken by helicopter to their research camp.

"I'm not a huge fan of flying in helicopters, but I had to," Miller laughed. "Otherwise, it's virtually impossible to get around."

The weather took her by surprise at first, especially how it could get rather warm in one of the coldest places on the planet. "They give you this huge parka with fur; it's insanely warm," she said. "As soon as you do stuff and go hiking, you start sweating."

Miller quickly learned that layering clothing was the way to go.

One of her favorite days was when some penguins, sitting where the ice met land, began wandering by her. She was able to take several photos of them.

"They're just as curious about you as you are about them," she observed.

-- By Larisa Epatko, Online NewsHour