Explorer's Gazette
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Mcmurdo Dry Valleys, Southern Victoria Land
Measure 1 (2004) Annex Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Managed Area No. 2 MCMURDO DRY VALLEYS, SOUTHERN VICTORIA LAND 1. Description of values to be protected and activities to be managed The McMurdo Dry Valleys are characterized as the largest relatively ice-free region in Antarctica with approximately thirty percent of the ground surface largely free of snow and ice. The region encompasses a cold desert ecosystem, whose climate is not only cold and extremely arid (in the Wright Valley the mean annual temperature is –19.8°C and annual precipitation is less than 100 mm water equivalent), but also windy. The landscape of the Area contains glaciers, mountain ranges, ice-covered lakes, meltwater streams, arid patterned soils and permafrost, sand dunes, and interconnected watershed systems. These watersheds have a regional influence on the McMurdo Sound marine ecosystem. The Area’s location, where large-scale seasonal shifts in the water phase occur, is of great importance to the study of climate change. Through shifts in the ice-water balance over time, resulting in contraction and expansion of hydrological features and the accumulations of trace gases in ancient snow, the McMurdo Dry Valley terrain also contains records of past climate change. The extreme climate of the region serves as an important analogue for the conditions of ancient Earth and contemporary Mars, where such climate may have dominated the evolution of landscape and biota. The Area is characterized by unique ecosystems of low biodiversity and reduced food web complexity. However, as the largest ice-free region in Antarctica, the McMurdo Dry Valleys also contain relatively diverse habitats compared with other ice-free areas. -
Draft ASMA Plan for Dry Valleys
Measure 18 (2015) Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Managed Area No. 2 MCMURDO DRY VALLEYS, SOUTHERN VICTORIA LAND Introduction The McMurdo Dry Valleys are the largest relatively ice-free region in Antarctica with approximately thirty percent of the ground surface largely free of snow and ice. The region encompasses a cold desert ecosystem, whose climate is not only cold and extremely arid (in the Wright Valley the mean annual temperature is –19.8°C and annual precipitation is less than 100 mm water equivalent), but also windy. The landscape of the Area contains mountain ranges, nunataks, glaciers, ice-free valleys, coastline, ice-covered lakes, ponds, meltwater streams, arid patterned soils and permafrost, sand dunes, and interconnected watershed systems. These watersheds have a regional influence on the McMurdo Sound marine ecosystem. The Area’s location, where large-scale seasonal shifts in the water phase occur, is of great importance to the study of climate change. Through shifts in the ice-water balance over time, resulting in contraction and expansion of hydrological features and the accumulations of trace gases in ancient snow, the McMurdo Dry Valley terrain also contains records of past climate change. The extreme climate of the region serves as an important analogue for the conditions of ancient Earth and contemporary Mars, where such climate may have dominated the evolution of landscape and biota. The Area was jointly proposed by the United States and New Zealand and adopted through Measure 1 (2004). This Management Plan aims to ensure the long-term protection of this unique environment, and to safeguard its values for the conduct of scientific research, education, and more general forms of appreciation. -
The Antarctic Sun, November 5, 2000
ww w. p o l a r. o rg / a n t s u n The November 5, 2000 PublishedA duringn the australt a summerr atctic McMurdo Station, Antarctica,Sun for the United States Antarctic Program Quote of the week “If we had to, we could run Roll out the barrels naked back to town.” Diver Rob Robbins, on wearing extreme cold weather gear to Fish Hut 4 on the sea ice 20 feet from McMurdo Station Fish story The ones that didn’t get away By Josh Landis Sun staff In a row of clear, plastic tanks in the Crary aquar- ium, a life cycle is underway. Early this season, divers brought a cache of dragonfish eggs out of the sea to be hatched in captivity. Now, for the first time ever at McMurdo, scores of the fish are growing up under the watchful eyes of researchers, giving them a look at a process that’s been largely unobserved: how their resistance to sub-freezing temperatures changes as they mature. Gently pouring plankton-rich water into the tanks, Teri McLain watches the small fry swim and twitch with hungry vigor. Each day these tiny fish reveal a little more of their species’ secrets of sur- vival, and she records it all. Fuelie Dave Tuepker checks new fuel drums for water condensation. Droplets formed inside some of them during transport to Antarctica, making them The droning of a gas-powered winch deafens the unsuitable for airplane and vehicle use. The ones that pass inspection will be inside of an old ice shack. -
The Antarctic Sun, January 15, 2006
January 15, 2006 Scientists learn volumes from ancient tracks By Emily Stone Sun staff To Molly Miller, little lines etched in stone are the history books of ancient Antarctica. Miller and her fellow scientists are hunting for tracks left by the tiny animals that inhabited the continent’s lakes and streams between 240 million and 280 million years ago. Understanding what was living here will reveal much about the climate, landscape and ecology of the period. “We’re piecing together a picture of the past,” said Miller of Vanderbilt University, Steven Profaizer / The Antarctic Sun who is a co-principal investigator on the Randy “Crunch” Noring prepares to hook a hanging cargo net to a helicopter hovering project. at Marble Point Refueling Station. The facility functions as a gas station, food stop and Her two co-principal investigators are way station for many flights in the McMurdo Dry Valleys. doing similar searches. John Isbell of the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee is looking for features in the rocks that See TINY on page 11 Much more than fuel Marble Point Refueling Station gives pilots a taste of home By Steven Profaizer Sun staff There is no question what continent you are on when standing outside the main hut at Marble Point Refueling Station. A large glacier terminates a few hundred meters away. Icebergs stick up out of the sea ice, frozen in place. And the cold, dry wind whips across your face. Inside the hut, however, you might think you’ve been whisked away to a friend’s house, complete with a small kitchen wafting the smell of chicken noodle soup, fresh-baked bread and homemade cookies. -
Continental Field Manual 3 Field Planning Checklist: All Field Teams Day 1: Arrive at Mcmurdo Station O Arrival Brief; Receive Room Keys and Station Information
PROGRAM INFO USAP Operational Risk Management Consequences Probability none (0) Trivial (1) Minor (2) Major (4) Death (8) Certain (16) 0 16 32 64 128 Probable (8) 0 8 16 32 64 Even Chance (4) 0 4 8 16 32 Possible (2) 0 2 4 8 16 Unlikely (1) 0 1 2 4 8 No Chance 0% 0 0 0 0 0 None No degree of possible harm Incident may take place but injury or illness is not likely or it Trivial will be extremely minor Mild cuts and scrapes, mild contusion, minor burns, minor Minor sprain/strain, etc. Amputation, shock, broken bones, torn ligaments/tendons, Major severe burns, head trauma, etc. Injuries result in death or could result in death if not treated Death in a reasonable time. USAP 6-Step Risk Assessment USAP 6-Step Risk Assessment 1) Goals Define work activities and outcomes. 2) Hazards Identify subjective and objective hazards. Mitigate RISK exposure. Can the probability and 3) Safety Measures consequences be decreased enough to proceed? Develop a plan, establish roles, and use clear 4) Plan communication, be prepared with a backup plan. 5) Execute Reassess throughout activity. 6) Debrief What could be improved for the next time? USAP Continental Field Manual 3 Field Planning Checklist: All Field Teams Day 1: Arrive at McMurdo Station o Arrival brief; receive room keys and station information. PROGRAM INFO o Meet point of contact (POC). o Find dorm room and settle in. o Retrieve bags from Building 140. o Check in with Crary Lab staff between 10 am and 5 pm for building keys and lab or office space (if not provided by POC). -
An Approach to Polar Research
Commentary ANAPPROACH TO POLAR RESEARCH* T. 0. Jones? IKE theattainment of thePoles, the development of aco-ordinated L programfor the scientific exploration of thepolar regions has not occurred overnight. In fact more than a century has passed since Matthew FontaineMaury first proposed an international scientific assaulton the unexplored parts of the earth. His contemporaries did not heed his advice and at times it has required the zeal and courage of such eminent explorers as the late Admiral RichardE. Byrd to keep the sparkof United States polar interest burning. However, only the concerted effortsof many nations could have made possible the massive programsof scientific exploration witnessed during the International Polar Years and the InternationalGeophysical Year. TheNational Science Foundation has supported specific projects in polarresearch since its establishment in 1950, includingthe study of specimens and data collections from earlier expeditions. Not until the IGY, however, did the Foundation engage in substantial financial support for arcticand antarctic research. During this period, its support of polar research was provided through a special appropriation on a project basisto areas of research not otherwise sponsored, but necessary to balance the United States research effort. The conclusion of the IGY confronted United States efforts in Antarctica with a problem. The initial success of IGY Antarctic Program in estab- lishinga sound foundation of observationalresults about the physical features of the continentwould have been impairedif the program hadcome to an abrupt end. To close the stations even for a short time would have jeopardized their value for future use and the long term research projects would have been irretrievably disrupted. -
Antarctica: at the Heart of It All
4/8/2021 Antarctica: At the heart of it all Dr. Dan Morgan Associate Dean – College of Arts & Science Principal Senior Lecturer – Earth & Environmental Sciences Vanderbilt University Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Spring 2021 Webcams for Antarctic Stations III: “Golden Age” of Antarctic Exploration • State of the world • 1910s • 1900s • Shackleton (Nimrod) • Drygalski • Scott (Terra Nova) • Nordenskjold • Amundsen (Fram) • Bruce • Mawson • Charcot • Shackleton (Endurance) • Scott (Discovery) • Shackleton (Quest) 1 4/8/2021 Scurvy • Vitamin C deficiency • Ascorbic Acid • Makes collagen in body • Limits ability to absorb iron in blood • Low hemoglobin • Oxygen deficiency • Some animals can make own ascorbic acid, not higher primates International scientific efforts • International Polar Years • 1882-83 • 1932-33 • 1955-57 • 2007-09 2 4/8/2021 Erich von Drygalski (1865 – 1949) • Geographer and geophysicist • Led expeditions to Greenland 1891 and 1893 German National Antarctic Expedition (1901-04) • Gauss • Explore east Antarctica • Trapped in ice March 1902 – February 1903 • Hydrogen balloon flight • First evidence of larger glaciers • First ice dives to fix boat 3 4/8/2021 Dr. Nils Otto Gustaf Nordenskjold (1869 – 1928) • Geologist, geographer, professor • Patagonia, Alaska expeditions • Antarctic boat Swedish Antarctic Expedition: 1901-04 • Nordenskjold and 5 others to winter on Snow Hill Island, 1902 • Weather and magnetic observations • Antarctic goes north, maps, to return in summer (Dec. 1902 – Feb. 1903) 4 4/8/2021 Attempts to make it to Snow Hill Island: 1 • November and December, 1902 too much ice • December 1902: Three meant put ashore at hope bay, try to sledge across ice • Can’t make it, spend winter in rock hut 5 4/8/2021 Attempts to make it to Snow Hill Island: 2 • Antarctic stuck in ice, January 1903 • Crushed and sinks, Feb. -
II. Expedition Dates
Information Exchange Under United States Antarctic Activities Articles III and VII(5) of the Modifications of Activities Planned for 2003-2004 ANTARCTIC TREATY II. Expedition Dates II. Expedition Dates Section II of the Modifications of Activities Planned for 2003-2004 lists the actual dates of significant events occurring during this time period. Significant Dates of Expeditions Date Activity 05 Apr 03 LMG03-04 10 May 03 LMG03-04A 16 June 03 LMG03-05 16 Aug 03 LMG03-05A 21 Aug 03 First flight to McMurdo Station for Winfly operations 22 Aug 03 NBP03-04C 07 Sep 03 LMG Maintenance open period for maintenance 14 Sep 03 NBP03-04C 22 Sep 03 LMG03-06 28 Sep 03 Palmer Station annual relief 30 Sep 03 First C-141 mission to McMurdo Station during Ice Runway period McMurdo Station commenced summer operations (1 of 19) 05 Oct 03 Marble Point opens 01 Oct 03 First C-17 mission of the season to McMurdo Station (1 of 12) 09 Oct 03 NBP03-04D 10 Oct 03 LMG03-07 (Palmer Station Shuttle) 14 Oct 03 Pieter J. Lenie Field Station (Copacabana) opens 14 Oct 03 Odell Glacier Camp Opens 14 Oct 03 Lake Hoare Camp opens 16 Oct 03 Lake Bonney Camp opens 17 Oct 03 F6 Camp opens 18 Oct 03 Lake Fryxell Camp opens National Science Foundation 2 Arlington, Virginia 22230 October 1, 2004 Information Exchange Under United States Antarctic Activities Articles III and VII(5) of the Modifications of Activities Planned for 2003-2004 ANTARCTIC TREATY II. Expedition Dates Date Activity 22 Oct 03 Three (3) 109th AW LC-130’s arrive McMurdo Station to start on-continent missions -
Explorer's Gazette
EEXXPPLLOORREERR’’SS GAZETTE GAZETTE Published Quarterly in Pensacola, Florida USA for the Old Antarctic Explorers Association Uniting All OAEs in Perpetuating the History of U.S. Navy Involvement in Antarctica Volume 7, Issue 2 Old Antarctic Explorers Association, Inc Apr-Jun 2007 San Diego, California Night Launch of USNS Richard E. Byrd USNS Richard E. Byrd, (T-AKE-4) Launching Ceremony Compiled by Billy-Ace Baker Laura Kissel, Byrd Polar Research Center, and OAEA President, John Lamont West, contributed to this article. HE SECOND SHIP TO BE NAMED IN HONOR OF THE region by air in May 1926. He was awarded the Medal of FAMOUS Navy polar explorer was launched on 15 Honor for the flight. Two and a half years later, Byrd began T May 2007 in San Diego, CA at the NASSCO his first expedition to Antarctica. He commanded the first Shipyard. The U.S Navy’s newest re-supply ship, flight over the South Pole on 29 November 1929. Byrd USNS Richard E. Byrd is a dry cargo/ammunition ship completed four more expeditions to the Antarctic continent designed and built by General Dynamics. The mission of the over the next 26 years, including Operation Deep Freeze in ship will be to deliver ammunition, provisions, stores, spare 1955 the IGY expedition that established seven U.S. stations parts, potable water, and petroleum products to strike groups in Antarctica . and other naval forces. Speakers at the launching ceremony included The A 1912 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a Honorable Donald C. Winter, Secretary of the Navy; Naval Aviator, Byrd (1888–1957), explored the North Pole See: Byrd Launching on page 4. -
Wilderness and Aesthetic Values of Antarctica
Wilderness and Aesthetic Values of Antarctica Abstract Antarctica is the least inhabited region in the world and has therefore had the least influence from human activities and, unlike the majority of the Earth’s continents and oceans, can still be considered as mostly wilderness. As every visitor to Antarctica knows, its landscapes are exceptionally beautiful. It was the recognition of the importance of these characteristics that resulted in their protection being included in the Madrid Protocol. Both wilderness and aesthetic values can be impaired by human activities in a variety of ways with the severity varying from negligible to severe, according to the type Protocol on Environmental Protec tion to the Antarctic Trea ty - of activity and its duration, spatial extent and intensity. A map of infrastructure and major travel routes the "M adrid Protocol" in Antarctica will be the first step in visually representing where wilderness and aesthetic values Article 3[1] may be impacted. It is hoped that this will stimulate further discussion on how to describe, acknowledge, The protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent an d associated ecosystems and the intrinsic value of Antarctica, understand and further protect the wilderness and aesthetic values of Antarctica. including its wilderness and aesthetic values and its value as an area for the conduct of scientific research, in particular research essential to understanding the global environment, shall be fundamental considerations in the planning and condu ct of all activities -
Mystery of the Third Trip Or Time Pressure Levanevskogo
Mystery of the Third trip or time pressure Levanevskogo The author-composer: Kostarev Evgeny . 2007/2008 Part 1. Start "Flying high above, and the farthest the fastest! " Battle cry of the Soviet government. Shortcut In autumn 1934 the Hero of the Soviet Union, the polar marine pilot Sigismund Alexandrovich Levanevskogo enticed by the idea Flight. He was the first in the Soviet Union, who suggested the idea of non-stop flight across the North Pole. The starting point of the route was Moscow; fit to accomplish the same in the U.S. The Soviet government in this project was received with great interest and supported the idea of non-stop transpolar flight. Of course! From Moscow to San Francisco can be reached in three ways - through the pole across the Atlantic or the Pacific Ocean. In this case, the distance will be 9,605 km, 14,000 km and 18,000 respectively. Sigismund Levanevsky Zygmunt A. Levanevsky - a very controversial figure in the history of Soviet aviation. He was born in 1902 in St. Petersburg. Levanevskogo father, a Polish worker, died when he was only 8 years old. In 1916, after graduating from three classes of the district school, Sigismund gave up teaching and went to work in a factory the company "Spring" in order to feed his family. Revolution scattered Levanevskogo the world - Sigismund in 1919, joined the Red Army, and his family moved from Petrograd. During the Civil War Levanevsky managed to get a fighter requisition, party members, eliminate gangs in Dagestan, and assistant warden 4th aeronautic squad in Petrograd. -
Visual Recovery of Desert Pavement Surfaces Following Impacts from Vehicle and Foot Traffic in the Ross Sea Region of Antarctica TANYA A
Antarctic Science 25(4), 514–530 (2013) & Antarctic Science Ltd 2013 doi:10.1017/S0954102012001125 Visual recovery of desert pavement surfaces following impacts from vehicle and foot traffic in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica TANYA A. O’NEILL1, MEGAN R. BALKS1 and JERO´ NIMO LO´ PEZ-MARTI´NEZ2 1Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand 2Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Auto´noma de Madrid, Spain [email protected] Abstract: Sites of past human activity were investigated to assess the visual recovery of the desert pavement following impacts from human trampling and vehicle traffic. Visually disturbed and nearby control sites were assessed using comparative photographic records, a field-based Visual Site Assessment, and Desert Pavement Recovery Assessment. Sites included: vehicle and walking tracks at Marble Point and Taylor Valley; a campsite, experimental treading trial site, and vehicle tracks in Wright Valley; and vehicle and walking tracks at Cape Roberts. The time since last disturbance ranged from three months to over 50 years. This investigation also attempted to determine what has the greatest lasting visual impact on soil surfaces in the Ross Sea region: dispersed trafficking or track formation? Walking tracks remained visible in the landscape (due to larger clasts concentrating along track margins) long after the desert pavement surface had recovered. However, randomly dispersed footprints were undetectable within five years. For many sites, allowing widespread trampling will give lower medium-term visible impact than concentrating traffic flow by track formation. For steep slopes and sites where repeated visits occur, use of a single track is recommended. Some 1950s vehicle tracks remain visible in the Antarctic landscape, but where visually obvious impacts were remediated, evidence of former occupation was almost undetectable.