The Polar Rock Repository (PRR) at The Ohio State University celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2023. An article in Columbus Monthly's September 2023 issue highlights the repository's history and significance. The PRR, directed by Anne Grunow, plays a vital role in Antarctic geology research.

Grunow's adventurous experiences in Antarctica, including a harrowing helicopter ride and surviving a blizzard near the "Doomsday Glacier," showcase the challenges and excitement of field geology in this extreme environment. Despite its remoteness and harsh conditions, Antarctica offers unique opportunities for geologists like Grunow.

The PRR was established in 2003 by legendary polar field geologist Rosie Askin as a place to gather, preserve, and study rocks collected by Antarctic geologists. Scott Borg, an advocate for accessibility to these federally funded samples and was in the National Science Foundation's Office of Polar Programs at the time, played a crucial role in its creation. Ohio State was an obvious choice since OSU geologists were active in Antarctica as early as the 1950s, discovering places such as Buckeye Table and the Ohio Range. The repository now houses thousands of rock specimens, some dating back to Shackleton's early expeditions.