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FEDERAL SERVICE OF RUSSIA FOR HYDROMETEOROLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING State Institution the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute Russian Antarctic Expedition

QUARTERLY BULLETIN №1 (38) January - March 2007 STATE OF ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations

St. Petersburg 2008 FEDERAL SERVICE OF RUSSIA FOR HYDROMETEOROLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING State Institution the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute Russian Antarctic Expedition

QUARTERLY BULLETIN №1 (38) January - March 2007

STATE OF ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations

Edited by V.V. Lukin

St. Petersburg

2008

Editor-in-Chief - M.O. Krichak (Russian Antarctic Expedition – RAE)

Authors and contributors

Section 1 - M.O. Krichak (RAE), V.Ye. Lagun (Laboratory of Oceanographic and Climatic Studies of the Antarctic - LOCSA) Section 2 - Ye.I. Aleksandrov (Department of Meteorology) Section 3 - L.Yu. Ryabkov (Department of Long-Range Weather Forecasting) Section 4 - A.I. Korotkov (Department of Ice Regime and Forecasting) Section 5 - Ye.Ye. Sibir (Department of Meteorology) Section 6 - I.P. Yeditkina, I.V. Moskvin, V.A. Gizler (Department of Geophysics) Section 7 - M.V.Babiy, A.A.Kalinkin, S.G.Poigina (Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Science) Section 8 - V.L. Martyanov (RAE)

Translated by I.I. Solovieva http://www.aari.aq/, Antarctic Research and Russian Antarctic Expedition, Documents, Quarterly Bulletin.

Acknowledgements: Russian Antarctic Expedition is grateful to all AARI staff for participation and help in preparing this Bulletin.

For more information about the contents of this publication, please, contact Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute of Roshydromet Russian Antarctic Expedition Bering St., 38, St. Petersburg 199397 Russia Phone: (812) 352 15 41 Fax: (812) 352 28 27 E-mail: [email protected]

CONTENTS

PREFACE……………………….…………………………………….…………………………..1

1. DATA OF AEROMETEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS…………………………………….………………………….3 2. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN JANUARY – MARCH 2007…...…………48 3. REVIEW OF THE ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES OVER THE ANTARCTIC IN JANUARY – MARCH 2007…...……………………..……………………………...54 4. BRIEF REVIEW OF ICE PROCESSES IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN ACCORDING TO DATA OF SATELLITE AND COASTAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN JANUARY-MARCH 2007……………………………..56 5. RESULTS OF TOTAL OZONE MEASUREMENTS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2007……………………………………...58 6. GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS AT RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN JANUARY-MARCH 2007…………..….…………………………………………....59 7. SEISMIK OBSERVATIONS IN ANTARCTICA IN 2005 ……………………...... 63 8. MAIN RAE EVENTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2007…………………………..73

PREFACE

The Bulletin is prepared on the basis of data reported from the Russian Antarctic stations in real time via the communication channels. The Bulletin is being published from 1998 on a quarterly basis. Section I in this issue contains monthly averages and extreme data of standard meteorological and solar radiation observations and upper-air sounding for the first quarter of 2007. Standard meteorological observations are being carried out at present at Mirny, Novolazarevskaya, Bellingshausen, Progress and Vostok stations. The upper-air sounding is undertaken once a day at 00.00 universal time coordinated (UTC) at two stations - Mirny Observatory and Novolazarevskaya station. More frequent sounding is conducted during the periods of the International Geophysical Interval in accordance with the International Geophysical Calendar in 2007 from 12 to 25 February, from 18 to 24 March, from 7 to 20 May, from 6 to 19 August, from 9 to 15 September and from 5 to 18 November at 00 h and 12 h UTC. In the meteorological tables, the atmospheric pressure values for the coastal stations are presented referenced to sea level. The atmospheric pressure at Vostok station is not reduced to sea level and is presented at the meteorological site level. Along with the monthly averages of meteorological parameters, the tables in Section 1 present their deviations from multiyear averages (anomalies) and deviations in σf fractions (normalized anomalies (f-favg)/ σf). For the monthly totals of precipitation and total radiation, the relative anomalies (f/favg) are also presented. For Progress station, the anomalies are not calculated due to a short observations series. The statistical characteristics necessary for the calculation of anomalies were derived at the AARI Department of Meteorology for the period 1961-1990 as recommended by the World Meteorological Organization. The Bulletin contains brief overviews with assessments of the state of the Antarctic environment based on the actual data for the quarter under consideration. Sections 2 and 3 are devoted to the meteorological and synoptic conditions. The review of synoptic conditions (section 3) is based on the analysis of current aero-synoptic information, which is performed by the RAE weather forecaster at Progress station and on more complete data of the Southern Hemisphere reported to the AARI. The analysis of ice conditions in the Southern Ocean (Section 4) is based on satellite data received at Bellingshausen, Novolazarevskaya and Mirny stations and on the observations conducted at the coastal Bellingshausen and Mirny stations. The anomalous character of ice conditions is evaluated against the multiyear averages of the drifting ice edge location and the mean multiyear dates of the onset of different ice phases in the coastal areas of the Southern Ocean adjoining the Antarctic stations. As the average and extreme values of the ice edge location, the updated data, which were obtained at the AARI for each month based on the results of processing the entire available historical set of predominantly national information on the Antarctic for a 25-30-year period 1973 to 2005, are used. Section 5 presents an overview of the total ozone (TO) concentration on the basis of measurements at the Russian stations. The measurements are interrupted in the wintertime at the Sun’s heights of less than 5o. Data of geophysical observations published in Section 6, present the results of measurements carried out under the geomagnetic and ionospheric programs at Mirny, Novolazarevskaya and Vostok stations. From March 2006, the geomagnetic observations are also carried out at Progress station. Section 7 presents the results of seismic observations in Antarctica in 2005. The last Section (8) is traditionally devoted to the main directions of the logistical activity of RAE during the quarter under consideration.

RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN OPERATION IN JANUARY - MARCH 2007

MIRNY OBSERVATORY

STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89592 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 39.9 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES ϕ = 66°33′ S; λ = 93°01′ E GEOMAGNETIC COORDINATES Φ = -76.8°; ∆ = 151.1° BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY December 7 – January 5 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT No

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89512 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 119 m

GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES ϕ = 70°46′ S; λ = 11°50′ E BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY November 15 - January 28 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT May 21 - July 23

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89050 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 15.4 m

GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES ϕ = 62°12′ S; λ = 58°56′ W BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY No BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT No

PROGRESS STATION

STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89574 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 14.6 m

GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES ϕ = 69°23′ S; λ = 76°23′ E BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY November 21 – January 22 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT May 28– July 16

VOSTOK STATION

STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89606 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 3488 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES ϕ = 78°27′ S; λ = 106°52′ E GEOMAGNETIC COORDINATES Φ = -89.3°; ∆ = 139.5° BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY October 21 - February 21 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT April 23 - August 21

FIELD BASE MOLODEZHNAYA

METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 40 m

GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES ϕ = 67°40′ S; λ = 45°51′ E

FIELD BASE DRUZHNAYA-4

METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 115 m

GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES ϕ = 69°44′ S; λ = 70°43′ E

FIELD BASE SOYUZ

METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 79 m

GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES ϕ = 70°34′ S; λ = 68°47′ E

DATA OF AEROMETEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS

JANUARY 2007

MIRNY OBSERVATORY Table 1.1 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Mirny, January 2007 Normalized Anomaly Relative anomaly Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 988,8 1000,9 976,7 -2,2 -0,6 Air temperature, °C -1,5 7,4 -9,5 0,1 0,1 Relative humidity, % 79 8,6 1,8 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6,5 -0,5 -0,6 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2,4 -0,7 -0,5 Precipitation, mm 6,8 -8,7 -0,6 0,4 Wind speed, m/s 9,3 22,0 1,5 1,3 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 786,0 -32,0 -0,4 1,0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 297 337 260

A B 8 1000 С 0 6

4 996 hPa hPa 2 992 0

-2 988 -4

-6 984

-8 PRESSURE, LEVEL SEA SURFACE AIR TEMPERATURE, TEMPERATURE, AIR SURFACE -10 980 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 JANUARY 2007 JANUARY 2007 C D 100 30

90 20

80 15

10 70 5 RELATIVE HUMIDITY,RELATIVE % SURFACE WIND SPEED, m/sec 60 0 5 1015202530 5 1015202530 JANUARY 2007 JANUARY 2007 E F 1.6 140

136 1.2 132

0.8 128

124 0.4

120 DAILY PRECIPITATION SUM, mm SUM, PRECIPITATION DAILY 0 cm THICKNESS, COVER SNOW 116 5 1015202530 JANUARY 2007 5 1015202530 JANUARY 2007

Fig. 1.1. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dash line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dash line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Mirny Observatory, January 2007.

Table 1.2 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Mirny, January 2007 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T °C direction, without P hPa D °C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

983 53 -2,8 3,5 925 532 -3,7 6,0 90 14 99 0 3 850 1195 -7,7 5,1 84 13 97 0 2 700 2684 -15,0 6,5 81 9 89 0 0 500 5167 -27,6 6,6 74 4 37 0 0 400 6740 -37,0 6,5 79 3 21 0 0 300 8672 -50,4 5,2 74 2 13 0 0 200 11297 -49,5 7,1 287 2 16 1 1 150 13188 -47,1 8,8 289 3 42 2 4 100 15882 -45,1 10,7 302 3 66 5 6 70 18279 -42,6 12,3 328 3 77 10 9

Table 1.3 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface height and temperature Mirny, January 2007

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/σН Т-Тavg, °С (Т-Тavg)/σТ 850 -13 -0,4 0,4 0,5 700 -11 -0,3 0,5 0,5 500 -5 -0,1 1,3 1,2 400 4 0,1 2,1 2,2 300 17 0,3 0,1 0,1 200 -27 -0,5 -4,6 -3,9 150 -64 -1,2 -3,7 -4,4 100 -104 -1,9 -2,9 -2,8 70 -130 -2,2 -1,8 -1,5

100

200

300

400

500

600 PRESSURE, hPa

700

800

900 5 1015202530

JANUARY 2007 B

100

200

300

400

500

600 PRESSURE, hPa

700

800

900 5 1015202530

JANUARY 2007 Fig. 1.2. Variations of free atmosphere air temperature (A, 0С) and wind speed (B, m/s). Mirny Observatory, January 2007 (00 UTC).

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Table 1.4 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, January 2007 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 989,8 1001,9 981,1 -1,8 -0,5 Air temperature, °C 0,0 6,5 -8,2 0,4 0,4 Relative humidity, % 55 -2,1 -0,5 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 5,2 -0,8 -0,7 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2,5 0,9 0,9 Precipitation, mm 1,7 -1,1 -0,1 0,6 Wind speed, m/s 5,6 16,0 -1,0 -0,7 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 894,9 61,9 1,0 1,1 Total ozone content (TO), DU 283 319 263

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.3. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dash line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dash line), precipitation (E) and degree of snow coverage of meteorological site (F). Novolazarevskaya station, January 2007.

Table 1.5 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Novolazarevskaya, January 2007 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T °C direction, without P hPa D °C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

975 122 -1,2 7,0 925 542 -2,1 7,9 101 10 96 0 2 850 1205 -7,3 7,0 97 10 95 0 0 700 2687 -16,5 6,5 95 9 91 0 0 500 5147 -29,7 6,2 83 3 39 0 0 400 6700 -40,6 4,8 91 1 14 0 0 300 8600 -52,5 4,2 208 0 3 0 0 200 11211 -50,0 5,8 215 2 29 0 0 150 13099 -47,5 7,9 212 3 45 0 0 100 15791 -44,9 9,9 205 3 46 1 1 70 18185 -41,2 11,6 177 2 49 2 2 50 20466 -39,0 13,4 131 3 67 10 9 30 23984 -36,1 16,1 107 6 91 19 9

Table 1.6 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature Novolazarevskaya, January 2007

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/σН Т-Тavg, °С (Т-Тavg)/σТ 850 -15 -0,4 1,0 1,0 700 -13 -0,3 1,1 0,9 500 -10 -0,2 1,1 0,8 400 -8 -0,1 0,3 0,3 300 -14 -0,2 -0,7 -0,6 200 -61 -1,0 -4,3 -3,4 150 -101 -1,6 -3,5 -3,2 100 -140 -2,2 -2,7 -2,3 70 -164 -2,1 -0,6 -0,5 50 -189 -2,9 0,1 0,1 30 -194 -3,2 1,1 0,8

100

200

300

400

500

600 PRESSURE, hPa

700

800

900 5 1015202530

JANUARY 2007 B

100

200

300

400

500

600 PRESSURE, hPa

700

800

900 5 1015202530

JANUARY 2007 Fig. 1.4. Variations of free atmosphere air temperature (A, 0С) and wind speed (B, m/s). Novolazarevskaya station, January 2007 (00 UTC).

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

Table 1.7 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg)

Bellingshausen, January 2007 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 990,5 1008,9 963,9 -2,4 -0,9 Air temperature, °C 2,0 6,4 -1,6 0,8 1,3 Relative humidity, % 87 1,4 0,3 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 8,2 -1,0 -2,0 Lower cloudiness (sky coverage),tenths 6,3 -1,4 -1,8 Precipitation, mm 60,7 20,8 1,5 1,5 Wind speed, m/s 5,9 16,0 -0,5 -0,7 Prevailing wind direction, deg 180 Total radiation, MJ/m2 455,3 -20,7 -0,5 1,0

A B 8 1010 С 0

6 1000 hPa

4 990

2 980

0 970 SEA LEVEL PRESSURE, SURFACE AIR TEMPERATURE, -2 960 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 JANUARY 2007 JANUARY 2007 C D 100 24

90 16

80 8

4 RELATIVE HUMIDITY, RELATIVE % SURFACE WIND SPEED, m/sec SPEED, WIND SURFACE 70 0 5 1015202530 5 1015202530 JANUARY 2007 JANUARY 2007 E F 12 10

8 6

4 4

2 PLACE SNOW COVERING,PLACE SNOW tenth DAILY PRECIPITATION SUM, mm 0 0 5 1015202530 5 1015202530 JANUARY 2007 JANUARY 2007

Fig. 1.5. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dash line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dash line), precipitation (E) and degree of snow coverage of meteorological site (F). Bellingshausen station, January 2007.

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.8

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, January 2007 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 990,3 1000,2 975,1 Air temperature, 0C 0,9 6,1 -3,8 Relative humidity, % 57 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6,6 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2,5 Precipitation, mm 0,4 Wind speed, m/s 4,8 18,0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 790,2

A B 8 1000 С 0 6 996 hPa hPa 4 992 2 988 0

984 -2 SEA LEVEL PRESSURE, PRESSURE, LEVEL SEA SURFACE AIR TEMPERATURE, -4 980 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 JANUARY 2007 JANUARY 2007 C D 80 40

70 30

60 20

50 10 RELATIVE HUMIDITY, %

40 m/sec SPEED, WIND SURFACE 5 1015202530 0 JANUARY 2007 5 1015202530 JANUARY 2007 E 0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

DAILY PRECIPITATION SUM, mm SUM, PRECIPITATION DAILY 0 5 1015202530 JANUARY 2007 Fig. 1.6. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dash line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, bold line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dash line), precipitation (E). Progress station, January 2007.

VOSTOK STATION Table 1.9 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear averages (favg)

Vostok, January 2007 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Station surface level air pressure, hPa 635,8 643,9 628,5 1,2 0,3 Air temperature, °C -31,3 -22,2 -40,6 0,7 0,5 Relative humidity, % 63 -9,9 -2,1 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 2,9 -1,0 -1,3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0,0 -0,4 -0,7 Precipitation, mm 0,0 -0,9 -1,0 0,0 Wind speed, m/s 1,5 14,0 -3,0 -3,8 Prevailing wind direction, deg 112 Total radiation, MJ/m2 1009,7 -80,3 -2,0 0,9 Total ozone content (TO), DU 274 291 243

A B -22 644 С 0 -24 -26 640 hPa hPa -28 -30 -32 636 -34

-36 632 -38 SURFACE PRESSURE, PRESSURE, SURFACE -40 SURFACE AIR TEMPERATURE, TEMPERATURE, AIR SURFACE 628 -42 5 1015202530 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 JANUARY 2007 JANUARY 2007 C D 72 20

16 68

64 8

RELATIVE HUMIDITY, RELATIVE % 60 SURFACE WIND SPEED, m/sec 0 5 1015202530 5 1015202530 JANUARY 2007 JANUARY 2007 E F 1 52

0.8 51

0.6 50

49 0.4

48 0.2 SNOW COVER THICKNESS, cm

DAILY PRECIPITATION SUM, mm SUM, PRECIPITATION DAILY 47 0 5 1015202530 5 1015202530 JANUARY, 2007 JANUARY 2007 Fig.1.7. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dash line) air temperature, ground level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, bold line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dash line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Vostok station, January 2007. 17

J A N U A R Y 2 0 0 7

Atmospheric pressure at sea level, hPa (pressure at (atVostokAtmospheric Vostok station station pressure is -ground ground at level sea level level,pressure) pressure) hPa

988.8988.1 989.8 989.3 990.5992.6 990.3988.5 11001100 900900 633.5635.8 700700 500500 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf -0.6 -0.5 -0.9 0.3

AirAir temperature,temperature, °C°C

2.7 0.5 20 0.0 2.0 0.9 0 -20 -2.1-1.5 -0.6 -40 -32.6-31.3 Mirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf 0.1 0.4 1.3 0.5

Relative humidity, %

79 8687 80 100 55 6057 63 50 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf 1.8 -0.5 0.3 -2.1

Total cloudiness, tenths

8.38.2 10 5.96.5 5.27 5.16.6 2.9 5 1.2 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf -0.6 -0.7 -2.0 -1.3

Precipitation,Precipitation, mm mm 35.2 10040 60.7 10.3 2050 6.8 0.51.7 6.80.4 00.0 00 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

f/fср. 0.4 0.6 1.5 0.0

Mean wind speed, m/s 9.3 6.5 1010 5.65.7 5.95.3 4.83.9 55 1.51.4 00 MirnyMirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf 1.3 -0.7 -0.7 -3.8

Fig.1.8. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. January 2007. 18

FEBRUARY 2007

MIRNY OBSERVATORY Table 1.10 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Mirny, February 2007 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 983,0 994,9 964,3 -5,6 -1,7 Air temperature, 0C -4,4 2,5 -15,4 0,8 0,7 Relative humidity, % 79 10,6 2,4 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 7,1 0,4 0,7 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2,8 -0,2 -0,2 Precipitation, mm 10,7 -6,5 -0,4 0,6 Wind speed, m/s 10,6 24,0 1,5 1,3 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 457,8 -46,2 -0,8 0,9 Total ozone content (TO), DU 315 332 301

A B 4 1000 С 0 2 0 hPa hPa 990 -2 -4 -6 980 -8 -10 970 -12

-14 PRESSURE, LEVEL SEA SURFACE AIRTEMPERATURE, -16 960 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 FEBRUARY 2007 FEBRUARY 2007 C D 100 30

20 80

70 10

60 RELATIVE HUMIDITY, % HUMIDITY, RELATIVE SURFACE WIND SPEED, m/sec SPEED, WIND SURFACE 50 0 5 1015202530 5 10152025 FEBRUARY 2007 FEBRUARY 2007 E F 10 118

116 6

4 114

2 SNOW COVER THICKNESS, cm THICKNESS, COVER SNOW DAILY PRECIPITATION SUM, mm SUM, PRECIPITATION DAILY 0 112 5 1015202530 5 1015202530 FEBRUARY 2007 FEBRUARY 2007

Fig. 1.9. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dotted line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, black circles), maximum (D, crosses) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, white circles), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness(F). Mirny Observatory, February 2007.

Table 1.11 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Mirny, February 2007 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T 0C direction, without P hPa D 0C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

977 53 -4,8 3,4 925 479 -5,4 4,1 89 13 97 0 0 850 1137 -9,5 3,0 87 11 91 0 0 700 2617 -17,0 3,4 80 6 59 0 0 500 5068 -31,4 3,8 51 2 26 0 0 400 6618 -40,4 3,6 336 1 15 0 0 300 8525 -51,8 3,4 289 4 35 0 0 200 11196 -44,4 7,4 276 6 68 0 0 150 13126 -43,6 10,2 274 7 74 0 0 100 15854 -43,4 12,4 276 7 84 0 0 70 18254 -42,4 13,6 284 6 81 1 1 50 20532 -41,6 14,8 296 4 79 3 3 30 24015 -39,6 16,0 325 3 59 12 9

Table 1.12 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature Mirny, February 2007 P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/σН Т-Тavg, °С (Т-Тavg)/σТ 850 -42 -1,5 0,9 1,0 700 -40 -1,3 -0,2 -0,2 500 -50 -1,2 -1,0 -0,7 400 -56 -1,2 -0,2 -0,2 300 -58 -1,2 -1,1 -0,8 200 -63 -1,2 0,4 0,3 150 -60 -1,1 0,4 0,4 100 -56 -1,0 0,2 0,2 70 -53 -0,9 0,5 0,6 50 -49 -0,9 0,9 1,2 30 -27 -0,4 1,6 1,7

100

200

300

400

500

PRESSURE, hPa 600

700

800

900 5 10152025

FEBRUARY 2007 B

100

200

300

400

500

600 PRESSURE, hPa PRESSURE,

700

800

900 5 10152025 FEBRUARY 2007 Fig.1.10. Variations of free atmosphere air temperature (A, 0С) and wind speed (B, m/s). Mirny Observatory, February 2007 (00 UTC).

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Table 1.13 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, February 2007 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 985,4 997,3 976,5 -3,7 -0,8 Air temperature, 0C -4,2 3,9 -13,7 -0,8 -0,9 Relative humidity, % 48 -1,4 -0,3 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6,6 0,3 0,3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 4,0 2,7 3,9 Precipitation, mm 2,0 0,2 0,1 1,1 Wind speed, m/s 7,7 18,0 -1,4 -0,9 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 487,8 6,8 0,2 1,0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 301 342 273

A B 4 996 С 0 2 992 0 hPa hPa -2 988 -4

-6 984 -8

-10 980 SEA LEVEL PRESSURE, LEVEL SEA -12

SURFACE AIRTEMPERATURE, 976 -14 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 FEBRUARY 2007 FEBRUARY 2007 C D 80 25

70 20

60 15

10 50

5 40 RELATIVE HUMIDITY, % HUMIDITY, RELATIVE SURFACE WIND SPEED, m/sec SPEED, WIND SURFACE 0 30 5 10152025 5 1015202530 FEBRUARY 2007 FEBRUARY 2007 E F 1.4 8

1.2 6 1

0.8 4

0.6 2 0.4 DAILY PRECIPITATION SUM, mm SUM, PRECIPITATION DAILY 0.2 tenth COVERING, SNOW PLACE 0 5 1015202530 5 1015202530 FEBRUARY 2007 FEBRUARY 2007

Fig. 1.11. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dash line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, bold line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dash line), precipitation (E) and degree of snow coverage of meteorological site (F). Novolazarevskaya station, February 2007.

Table 1.14

Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages)

Novolazarevskaya, February 2007 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T 0C direction, without P hPa D 0C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

970 122 -4,5 9,2 925 493 -6,2 9,4 105 11 94 0 0 850 1146 -11,4 7,3 98 10 94 0 0 700 2605 -20,1 4,9 104 6 72 0 0 500 5031 -32,7 6,0 230 2 33 0 0 400 6569 -42,6 5,2 243 4 47 0 0 300 8457 -52,9 4,4 243 7 60 0 0 200 11095 -47,2 7,5 243 6 83 0 0 150 13001 -45,9 9,8 245 6 83 0 0 100 15702 -45,1 11,6 248 6 82 0 0 70 18079 -44,0 12,8 254 4 82 1 1 50 20338 -43,0 13,7 253 3 72 1 1 30 23763 -41,6 14,9 216 1 43 7 7 20 26436 -41,7 15,5 242 0 20 17 9

Table 1.15 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature Novolazarevskaya, February 2007

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/σН Т-Тavg, °С (Т-Тavg)/σТ 850 -40 -1,2 -0,7 -0,7 700 -50 -1,5 -1,0 -1,1 500 -68 -1,8 -0,7 -0,6 400 -75 -1,7 -0,7 -0,6 300 -88 -1,8 -0,8 -0,7 200 -112 -2,5 -1,9 -1,4 150 -130 -3,0 -1,4 -1,4 100 -147 -3,2 -1,2 -1,2 70 -164 -3,3 -0,8 -0,8 50 -182 -3,3 -0,3 -0,4 30 -212 -3,2 0,5 0,3 20 -291 -3,8 -1,4 -0,8

100

200

300

гПа 400

500

600 PRESSURE,

700

800

900 5 10152025 FEBRUARY 2007 B

100

200

300

400

500

600 PRESSURE, hPa

700

800

900 5 10152025

FEBRUARY 2007 Fig. 1.12. Variations of free atmosphere air temperature (A, 0С) and wind speed (B, m/s). Novolazarevskaya station, February 2007 (00 UTC).

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

Table 1.16 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Bellingshausen, February 2007 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 988,0 1001,3 965,3 -1,7 -0,7 Air temperature, 0C 1,8 5,6 -2,0 0,4 0,6 Relative humidity, % 86 -1,9 -0,6 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 8,8 -0,3 -0,5 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 6,1 -1,7 -2,1 Precipitation, mm 51,1 -16,0 -0,8 0,8 Wind speed, m/s 5,5 18,0 -1,4 -2,8 Prevailing wind direction, deg 315 Total radiation, MJ/m2 314,9 11,9 0,3 1,0

A B 6 1010 С 0

1000 4 hPa

2 990

980 0 SEA LEVEL PRESSURE, LEVEL SEA

SURFACE AIR TEMPERATURE, 970 -2 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 FEBRUARY 2007 FEBRUARY 2007 C D 100 25

20 90

15 80 10

70 5 RELATIVE HUMIDITY,RELATIVE % SURFACE WIND SPEED, m/sec SPEED, WIND SURFACE 60 0 5 1015202530 5 10152025 FEBRUARY 2007 FEBRUARY 2007 E F 16 8

12 6

8 4

4 2 PLACECOVERING, SNOW tenth DAILY PRECIPITATION SUM, mm SUM, PRECIPITATION DAILY 0 0 5 1015202530 5 1015202530 FEBRUARY 2007 FEBRUARY 2007

Fig. 1.13. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dash line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, bold line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dash line), precipitation (E) and degree of snow coverage of meteorological site (F). Bellingshausen station, February 2007.

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.17

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, February 2007 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 985,1 995,2 968,2 Air temperature, 0C -2,1 4,6 -9,2 Relative humidity, % 58 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6,3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2,4 Precipitation, mm 1,5 Wind speed, m/s 5,4 20,0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 421,0

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.14. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dash line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, bold line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dash line), precipitation (E) and degree of snow coverage of meteorological site (F). Progress station, February 2007.

VOSTOK STATION

Table 1.18 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Vostok, February 2007 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Station surface level air pressure, hPa 626,2 637,3 617,2 -3,5 -0,9 Air temperature, °C -45,8 -32,1 -60,6 -1,4 -0,9 Relative humidity, % 56 -15,7 -3,0 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 1,2 -2,4 -3,0 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0,0 0,0 0,0 Precipitation, mm 0,0 -0,8 -1,1 0,0 Wind speed, m/s 1,5 7,0 -3,5 -3,9 Prevailing wind direction, deg 225 Total radiation, MJ/m2 538,2 -64,8 -2,3 0,9 Total ozone content (TO), DU 290 304 279

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.15. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dash line) air temperature, ground level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, bold line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dash line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Vostok station, February 2007.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 7

Atmospheric pressure at sea level, hPa (pressure at VostokAtmosphericAtmospheric station pressure pressure is ground atat sea levelsea level, level,pressure) hPa hPa (at Vostok station is the ground level pressure) 983.0987 987.5985.4 988.0996 985.1988.8 1100 987 987.5 996 988.8 628.4 1100900 626.2628.4 500700 500 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf -1.7 -0.8 -0.7 -0.9

AirAir temperature,temperature, °C°C 1.8 21050 2.4 -101 -300 -4.4 -4.2 -2.1 -50-500 -6.2 -4.3 -3.5 -44.4-45.8 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf 0.7 -0.9 0.6 -0.9

RelativeRelative humidity,humidity, %%

7972 8886 79 100 4648 5758 56 50 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf 2.4 -0.3 -0.6 -3.0

TotalTotal cloudiness,cloudiness, tenthstenths 9.5 7.6 8.89.5 7.7 10 7.1 6.67.6 6.37.7 4.54.5 5 0.91.20.9 0 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf 0.7 0.3 -0.5 -3.0

Precipitation,Precipitation,Precipitation, mm mmmm

2 80 100 1 51.1 50 14.510.7 7.52.0 5.51.5 0.00 1 0 0 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Progress Vostok Vostok Vostok

f/fср. 0.6 1.1 0.8 0.0

MeanMean windwind speed,speed, m/sm/s

20 10.6 10.27.7 6.6 10 5.5 5.45 4.81.5 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf 1.3 -0.9 -2.8 -3.9

Fig. 1.16 . Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. February 2007. 33

MARCH 2007

MIRNY OBSERVATORY

Table 1.19 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Mirny, March 2007 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 986,5 1002,8 961,2 -0,4 -0,1 Air temperature, 0C -8,1 -1,7 -17,9 2,0 1,3 Relative humidity, % 83 13,4 2,7 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 7,7 1,0 1,1 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 3,7 0,9 1,0 Precipitation, mm 11,3 -18,3 -0,6 0,4 Wind speed, m/s 11,3 21,0 0,3 0,3 Prevailing wind direction, deg 158 Total radiation, MJ/m2 225,8 -64,2 -1,8 0,8 Total ozone content (TO), DU 284 310 251

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.17. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dotted line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, black circles), maximum (D, crosses) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, white circles), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness(F). Mirny Observatory, March 2007.

Table 1.20 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages)

Mirny, March 2007 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T 0C direction, without P hPa D 0C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

980 53 -8,4 2,2 925 497 -8,4 4,0 93 13 98 1 1 850 1149 -11,4 3,2 87 10 87 1 1 700 2617 -18,9 3,9 80 6 61 1 1 500 5048 -33,8 5,1 37 1 12 1 1 400 6581 -43,1 4,8 288 3 20 1 1 300 8477 -51,2 4,5 276 6 42 1 1 200 11135 -46,8 6,9 273 8 77 3 3 150 13042 -46,7 8,3 274 8 84 3 3 100 15730 -47,7 9,6 272 9 89 5 5 70 18079 -48,2 10,4 270 8 92 5 5 50 20279 -48,9 10,8 275 8 93 7 8 30 23604 -49,5 11,0 272 8 97 14 9

Table 1.21 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature

Mirny, March 2007

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/σН Т-Тavg, °С (Т-Тavg)/σТ 850 4 0,1 2,3 2,3 700 8 0,2 0,2 0,2 500 -1 0,0 -1,2 -0,8 400 -5 -0,1 -0,9 -0,6 300 -8 -0,1 0,7 0,5 200 -11 -0,2 0,0 0,0 150 -13 -0,2 -0,2 -0,3 100 -10 -0,2 -0,7 -0,8 70 -22 -0,3 -0,9 -0,9 50 -45 -0,7 -1,1 -1,1 30 -84 -1,1 -1,9 -1,2

100

200

300

400

500

600 PRESSURE, hPa

700

800

900 5 1015202530

MARCH 2007 B

100

200

300

400

500

600 PRESSURE, hPa

700

800

900 5 1015202530 MARCH 2007 Fig. 1.18. Variations of free atmosphere air temperature (A, 0С) and wind speed (B, m/s). Mirny Observatory, March 2007 (00 UTC).

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Table 1.22

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, March 2007 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 987,4 998,9 968,0 1,2 0,3 Air temperature, 0C -7,7 -1,7 -15,3 0,1 0,1 Relative humidity, % 42 -7,2 -1,6 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 7,3 1,0 1,0 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 4,4 2,7 2,3 Precipitation, mm 4,2 -4,7 -0,3 0,5 Wind speed, m/s 10,2 23,0 -0,4 -0,3 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 285,8 35,8 1,3 1,1 Total ozone content (TO), DU 282 316 255

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.19. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dash line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, bold line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dash line), precipitation (E) and degree of snow coverage of meteorological site (F). Novolazarevskaya station, March 2007.

Table 1.23 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages)

Novolazarevskaya, March 2007 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T 0C direction, without P hPa D 0C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

972 122 -8,0 10,9 925 508 -9,0 11,6 111 15 96 0 0 850 1155 -13,4 9,5 100 14 92 0 0 700 2611 -19,7 6,5 94 5 60 0 0 500 5038 -33,5 6,1 233 2 21 0 0 400 6570 -43,3 5,2 247 4 38 0 0 300 8452 -54,1 4,7 262 7 56 0 0 200 11061 -49,2 6,8 270 7 79 0 0 150 12951 -48,2 8,7 274 7 86 0 0 100 15616 -48,9 10,2 275 7 90 0 0 70 17948 -49,3 11,1 279 7 91 0 0 50 20149 -49,9 11,7 284 8 91 1 1 30 23492 -49,6 12,3 282 8 91 5 5 20 26129 -49,9 12,5 284 10 95 11 9

Table 1.24 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature

Novolazarevskaya, March 2007 P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/σН Т-Тavg, °С (Т-Тavg)/σТ 850 1 0,0 -0,1 -0,1 700 -3 -0,1 0,8 0,7 500 -1 0,0 0,4 0,2 400 -1 0,0 0,3 0,2 300 -6 -0,1 -0,6 -0,5 200 -32 -0,5 -1,1 -0,9 150 -40 -0,6 -0,5 -0,6 100 -47 -0,8 -0,5 -0,5 70 -61 -1,0 -0,1 -0,1 50 -65 -1,0 0,0 0,0 30 -39 -0,4 1,4 0,6 20 -79 -0,8 -0,4 -0,2

100

200

300

400

500

PRESSURE, hPa 600

700

800

900 5 1015202530 MARCH 2007 B

100

200

300

400

500

PRESSURE, hPa 600

700

800

900 5 1015202530 MARCH 2007

Fig. 1.20. Variations of free atmosphere air temperature (A, 0С) and wind speed (B, m/s). Novolazarevskaya station, March 2007 (00 UTC). 41

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

Table 1.25

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear averages (favg) Bellingshausen, March 2007 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Sea level air pressure, hPa 989,6 1006,9 957,4 -1,3 -0,3 Air temperature, 0C -0,9 4,8 -7,2 -1,2 -1,3 Relative humidity, % 80 -7,3 -2,2 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 8,9 -0,1 -0,3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 7,4 -0,4 -0,5 Precipitation, mm 69,7 -2,5 -0,1 1,0 Wind speed, m/s 6,3 15,0 -0,8 -1,1 Prevailing wind direction, deg 158 Total radiation, MJ/m2 223,8 28,8 1,6 1,1

A B 6 1010 С 0 4 1000

2 hPa 990 0

-2 980

-4 970

-6 PRESSURE,SEA LEVEL

SURFACE AIRTEMPERATURE, 960 -8 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 MARCH 2007 MARCH 2007 C D 100 24

90 16

80 12

8 70 4 RELATIVE HUMIDITY, % HUMIDITY, RELATIVE SURFACE WIND SPEED, m/sec 60 0 5 1015202530 5 10152025 MARCH 2007 MARCH 2007 E F 25 8

20 6

4 10

5 2

DAILY PRECIPITATION SUM, mm SUM, PRECIPITATION DAILY 0 PLACE SNOW COVERING, tenth SNOW PLACE 5 1015202530 0 MARCH 2007 5 1015202530 MARCH 2007

Fig. 1.21. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dash line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, bold line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dash line), precipitation (E) and degree of snow coverage of meteorological site (F). Bellingshausen station, March 2007.

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.26

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, March 2007 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 989,4 1001,6 977,8 Air temperature, 0C -7,6 -0,7 -20,1 Relative humidity, % 61 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6,7 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2,9 Precipitation, mm 10,2 Wind speed, m/s 5,7 11,0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 233,7

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.22. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dash line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, bold line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dash line), precipitation (E) and degree of snow coverage of meteorological site (F). Progress station, March 2007.

VOSTOK STATION Table 1.27 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Vostok, March 2007 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/σf Ground level air pressure, hPa 628,2 637,3 620,4 3,2 0,9 Air temperature, °C -56,2 -42,1 -67,2 1,9 0,9 Relative humidity, % 60 -9,2 -1,8 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 3,3 -0,3 -0,3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0,0 -0,1 -0,5 Precipitation, mm 0,0 -2,2 -0,8 0,0 Wind speed, m/s 1,5 8,0 -4,0 -4,4 Prevailing wind direction, deg 202 Total radiation, MJ/m2 199,0 -25,0 -1,7 0,9 Total ozone content (TO), DU 245 292 207

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.23. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (А, thin line), minimum (A, dash line) air temperature, air pressure (B) at the ground level, relative humidity (C), mean (D, bold line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dash line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Vostok station, March 2007.

M A R C H 2 0 0 7

Atmospheric pressure, hPa (pressure at Vostok stationAtmospheric is ground pressure, level pressure) hPa (at Vostok station is the ground level pressure) 983.9986.5984.9 987.4 981.5989.6985.7 989.4 1100 983.9 984.9 981.5 985.7 900 624.7628.2 1100900700 500700 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf -0.1 0.3 -0.3 0.9

Air temperature, °C 2.6 100 -10 -20-30 -0.9 -40-50 -9.8-8.1 -7.7-8 -7.1-7.6 -60-70 -58.2-56.2 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf 1.3 0.1 -1.3 0.9

Relative humidity, % 90 7383 80 65 100 4342 6061 60 50 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf 2.7 -1.6 -2.2 -1.8

Total cloudiness, tenths

7.7 8.99 8 10 6.6 5.97.3 6.7 3.3 5 1.1 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf 1.1 1.0 -0.3 -0.3

Precipitation,Precipitation,Precipitation, mm mm 112.7112.7 100120120 69.7 8080 504040 11.35.55.5 4.200 10.29.79.7 0.03 000 MirnyMirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok

f/fср. 0.4 0.5 1.0 0.0

MeanMean windwind speed,speed, m/sm/s

20 12.111.3 10.2 8.7 7.26.3 7.25.7 10 1.55 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-fср.)/σf 0.3 -0.3 -1.1 -4.4

Fig.1.24. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. March 2007.

2. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN JANUARY-MARCH 2007

Fig. 2.1 characterizes the air temperature conditions in January-March 2007 at the Antarctic continent. It presents monthly averages and their anomalies and the normalized surface air temperature anomalies at the Russian and non-Russian meteorological stations. The actual data of the Russian Antarctic Expedition contained in /1/ were used for the Russian Antarctic stations and data contained in /2, 3/ were used for the foreign stations. The multiyear averages (1961-1990) were adopted from /4/. In January as compared with December, there was a decrease and in February-March an increase of the number of stations with the below zero anomalies of mean monthly air temperature (Fig.2.1). In January, small below zero anomalies of air temperature were preserved predominantly at the Indian Ocean coast of East Antarctica. The values of the above zero air temperature anomalies were also low. At most stations, they did not exceed 1 σ. And only at McMurdo station in the area of the Ross Sea, the temperature anomaly was 3.8 °С (3 σ). January 2007 at McMurdo station was the warmest January over the entire observation period beginning in 1957. In February, the below zero anomalies of air temperature spread to the central part of the continent and the coastal area of East Antarctica (the Queen Maud Land and the Ross Sea). The values of anomalies similar to January were small. One of the cold centers was in the vicinity of the Queen Maud Land, with air temperature anomaly at Novolazarevskaya station comprising -0.8 °С (-0.9 σ). Another cold center in the area of the inland Vostok station had a temperature anomaly of -1.4 °С (-0.9 σ). Along the Indian Ocean coast of East Antarctica, a heat center was formed. At Davis and Dumont d’Urville stations the air temperature anomalies were 1.2 °С (1.3 σ) and 1.1 °С (1.1 σ), respectively. In March, the center of below zero air temperature anomalies spread to the Antarctic Peninsula. The center core moved to the Polar Plateau area. The air temperature anomaly near Amundsen-Scott station was -3.2 °С (-1.8 σ). This month was the fifth coldest March for the entire observation period at this station. At the Indian Ocean coast of East Antarctica, the above zero temperature anomalies were preserved. Here in the coastal area of the Commonwealth and Davis Seas, the anomalies at the Davis and Mirny stations comprised 2.1 °С (1.4 σ) and 2.0 °С (1.3 σ), respectively. An assessment of long-period changes of mean monthly air temperature at the Russian stations in these months reveals a statistically significant trend at Bellingshausen and Novolazarevskaya stations (Fig.2.2-2.4). The air temperature increase for January and February at Bellingshausen station was about 1.1 and 1.0 °С/39 years, respectively (Table 2.1). For Novolazarevskaya station, the air temperature increase for February was 0.8 °С/46 years. The atmospheric pressure at the Russian Bellingshausen, Novolazarevskaya and Vostok stations in these months was characterized by insignificant deviations from a multiyear average (less than 1 σ). Only at Mirny station in February, a large anomaly was observed, comprising (-5.6 hPa, -1.7 σ). For Mirny station such a decrease in February was noted for the sixth time over the entire observation period from 1957 (the largest negative anomaly was recorded in 2002, -9.1 hPa, -2.7 σ). The statistically significant linear trends of long-period pressure changes at the Russian stations are detected in January at Bellingshausen and Novolazarevskaya stations, in February – at Mirny, Novolazarevskaya and Vostok stations, in March – at Mirny station. The linear trend sign in all these cases was negative (Fig.2.2-2.4). The pressure in these months decreased most of all in January at Bellingshausen station (6.6 hPa/39 years). The amount of precipitation at the Russian stations in January-March 2007 was predominantly less than a multiyear average. Only at Bellingshausen station in January, about 1.5 multiyear averages of precipitation was observed to fall out. At Vostok station, precipitation was not recorded at all.

Table 2.1

Linear trend parameters of mean monthly surface air temperature

Stations, Parameter I II I I I I II I I I Operation period Entire observation period 1998-2007 Novolazarevskaya °С/10 0.17 0.15 0.17 0.90 0.16 0.85 years 1961-2007. % 26.2 20.0 21.9 42.4 5.6 18.9 Р 90 - - - - - Mirny °С/10 -0.10 0.04 0.08 3.10 1.63 2.91 years 1957-2007 % 12.8 5.2 7.0 49.8 38.3 61.8 Р - - - - - 95 Vostok °С/10 0.19 -0.07 0.01 1.35 -0.72 3.80 years 1958-2007 % 17.8 6.6 0.1 31.1 27.5 71.1 Р - - - - - 95 Bellingshausen °С/10 0.28 0.25 0.19 -0.10 0.12 -0.82 years 1968-2007 % 51.4 44.9 24.1 5.8 6.2 23.6 Р 99 99 - - - -

Note: first line is linear trend coefficient; Second line is dispersion value explained by the linear trend; Third line is Р=1–α, where α – significance level (given if Р exceeds 90 %).

References:

1. http://www.south.aari.nw.ru 2. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ol/climate/climatedata.html 3. http://www.nerc–bas.ac.uk/public/icd/metlog/jones_and_limbert.html 4. Atlas of the Oceans. The Southern Ocean. MD RF.

Fig. 2.1. Mean monthly and mean annual values (1) of surface air temperature, their anomalies (2) and normalized anomalies (3) in January (I), February (II) and March (III) 2007 from data of stationary meteorological stations in the South Polar Area

Fig. 2.2. Interannual variations of temperature and atmospheric pressure anomalies at the Russian Antarctic stations. January.

Fig. 2.3. Interannual variations of temperature and atmospheric pressure anomalies at the Russian Antarctic stations. February.

Fig. 2.4. Interannual variations of temperature and atmospheric pressure anomalies at the Russian Antarctic stations. March.

3. REVIEW OF THE ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES OVER THE ANTARCTIC IN JANUARY-MARCH 2007

In January, a significant change of the character of atmospheric circulation was noted as compared with the preceding months. In spite of the climatic tendency for a decrease of baric gradients and decreased intensification of cyclonic activity in the summertime, there was a sufficiently clear decrease of the recurrence of zonality and a significant development of meridional atmospheric processes over the temperate and high latitudes of the Southern Hemi- sphere in the month under consideration. The Antarctic High was intensified as compared with mean multiyear pattern. However, most of the coastal areas in January were under the influence of cyclones that were not deep and had low mo- bility (coast of the Riiser-Larsen, Cosmonauts, Commonwealth, Davis, Amundsen and Bellingshausen Seas). This was also reflected in the field of mean monthly pressure anomalies: the center of positive pressure anomalies extended from the eastern area of the Weddell Sea across the inland regions towards the western Ross Sea and Vic- toria Land. Zonality was of middle latitudinal character, but one can also see that the structure of negative pressure anomalies over the temperate latitudes looks like a center, indicating a significant development of meridional processes. The most active ridges of subtropical Highs developed over the southwestern Atlantic and South America, and also over the New Zealand sector and the eastern Pacific Ocean. It should be noted that the ridges developing over the Indian Ocean (they belong to the active phase of the circulation form Мb), having a greater frequency of occurrence (Table 3.1), were more smoothed. The most active cyclogenesis was noted over the southwestern and central Atlantic, West Indian sector and central Pacific Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean. The main distribution feature of the field of mean monthly anomalies of January air temperatures was the formation of an extensive circumpolar center of the above zero air temperature anomalies with a core over the southern Ross Sea and covering not only the inland regions of Antarctica (with the largest values over its eastern part), but also practically the entire south polar area. The values of these anomalies at the coastal stations were mainly not greater than 1ºС, near the center core according to data of McMurdo station, they comprised about 4ºС, in the area of Vostok station – about 3ºС and in the vicinity of the South Pole – about 1.5ºС. In February, dominance of the meridional atmospheric macro-processes at the background of decreased zonality was observed over the Southern Hemisphere similar to the preceding month. The difference with the January processes is that localization of the development of the ridges of Highs was changed. Whereas in January, the circulation form Мb was more often observed, in February, the form Ма was mostly developed (Table 3.1). One should note the general diffusion of the baric field. Throughout the entire month, there was not a single deep cyclone (the minimum pressure at the center did not drop lower than 950 mb). The Highs were also insufficiently active. The low gradient fields prevailed. The Antarctic High has also sharply become weaker, and the area of negative pressure anomalies covered the entire Antarctic continent except for the Antarctic Peninsula and the Ellsworth Land. The core of this center was over the Davis and Mawson Seas, where the negative pressure anomalies comprised 4-5 mb. The general pattern of the field of pressure anomalies had an obviously meridional character. The field of air temperature anomalies has a more compli- cated form. One should note a strong heat center over the New Zealand sector and the Ross Sea (in the data of McMurdo station, the anomaly exceeded 4ºС). At the same time a below zero anomaly of about -1.5ºС was observed at Vostok station (at the above zero anomaly at the Pole comprising 2.0ºС). This shows a complex distribution of air temperature anomalies in the inland area. In the coastal regions, the temperature anomalies were close to a multiyear average and were not greater than 1ºС. In general in February, a relatively stable quiet weather was observed over the entire Antarctica, which is slightly unusual for the given month, which is critical due to transition from the summer processes to the winter ones. In March, the dominance of zonal circulation was observed, which is characteristic of this month (the frequency of occurrence of the form Z was 16 days, which is by 1 day more than a multiyear average). But the development of meridionality resulted in the disturbance of zonal processes in the Indian Ocean, which is shown by a significant anomaly of the circulation form Мb (Table 3.1). The pressure anomalies at the core of the center at Madagascar meridian achieved 4-5 hPa. In the other sectors, one observed a quasi-zonal distribution of the pressure anomalies, their negative values forming a belt over the temperate latitudes of the hemisphere. The Antarctic High was slightly intensified. The latter fact resulted in the formation of a center of below zero air temperatures over the Antarctic Dome up to -2.0ºС. The exception was a significant territory of East Antarctica, where due to export of warm air masses along the western periphery of the active Indian Ocean ridge, the temperature anomalies at the Antarctic stations were greater than 1ºС. Export of heat reached even Vostok station, where the air temperature anomaly comprised 1.5ºС. Over most of the coastal areas of West Antarctica, the air temperature was around a multiyear average or slightly less than a multiyear average.

Table 3.1.

Frequency of occurrence of the forms of atmospheric circulation in the Southern Ocean and its anomalies (number of days) in January-March 2007

Months Frequency of occurrence Anomalies Z Ma Mb Z Ma Mb January 11 8 12 -3 -3 6 February 10 14 4 -4 6 -2 March 16 5 10 1 -5 4

So, weak zonality in the middle and at the end of the summer period can be considered the main feature of the period under consideration. In connection with intensified meridional atmospheric processes at this time and export of warm air masses to high latitudes determined by this cause over much of the South Polar area, a warmer summer compared to a multiyear average was observed.

4. BRIEF REVIEW OF ICE PROCESSES IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN ACCORDING TO DATA OF SATELLITE AND COASTAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN JANUARY-MARCH 2007

The increased background sea-ice extent, which was observed in the Southern Ocean in December 2006 (see a review in Bulletin No. 4 for the fourth quarter of 2006), was replaced by the sea-ice extent close in general to a multiyear average by the end of the southern polar summer in February 2007. However the ice conditions in the Antarctic Seas were exclusively contrast. Only the sizes of the Atlantic massif and the drifting ice belt in the Lazarev, Riiser-Larsen Cosmonauts, Davis and Amundsen Seas corresponded to mean multiyear values (Fig. 4.1). In the Commonwealth Sea, an anomalously increased accumulation of residual ice was observed throughout the entire summer. In the Mawson and D’Urville Seas (105°-145° E), on the contrary already in January, there was an almost complete clearance of the water area from ice except for local ice accumulations in the local iceberg tongues. The Balleny ice massif stably occupied the central position between 145° to 170° E with the northern boundary located near the 65th parallel. The increased close to maximum ice spreading was noted in the area of the Balleny Islands proper, which is obviously connected with the intensification of the cyclonic water gyre confined to it. The Pacific Ocean massif was characterized by the extremely increased ice flow to the Ross Sea area from the area of Russkaya station, where as a result, the ice belt width decreased to the minimum size. A similar situation was also observed in the eastern half of the massif. Ice accumulation predominantly around the Thurston Peninsula determined ice clearance of much of the Bellingshausen Sea to the east of 90° W, which occurs very rarely. A distinguishing feature of the given summer season was also a delayed decay of landfast ice on average by month in most coastal areas. However in the vicinity of Novolazarevskaya station, the breakup of landfast ice in Leningradskaya Bay was finished approximately a month earlier compared to a multiyear average, in the second part of February. In the area of the seasonal Druzhnaya-4 Base, on the contrary, not only the third-year landfast ice remained unbroken at the head of Sannefjord Bay with a width of about 25 km, but also approximately the same area of first-year landfast ice preceding it. In this connection it is necessary to note the tendency formed in recent years for later dates of landfast ice decay in the nearby area of Progress station (Table 4.1), which is aggravated by a slower process of export from Vostochnaya Bay of icebergs of local origin of the outlet Dalk iceberg. Such a cardinal change of ice regime of the southeast coast of Prydz Bay was obviously caused by the progressive advance of the Amery ice shelf front. Intensive autumn ice formation that began everywhere in the coastal zone slightly later than usually in the middle of March, determined already by the end of the month a rapid coverage by young ice of main recurring polynyas (in the Ross Sea, Prydz and Treshnikov Bays) and reconstruction of solid circumpolar ice belt except for the Pacific coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. In addition, one should note an anomalously early intensification of ice export from the Weddell Sea northward due to which the sea ice edge at 55° W has reached at the end of March the extreme latitudinal position advancing to the 62nd parallel.

Table 4.1

Dates of the onset of main ice phases in the areas of the Russian Antarctic stations in January-March 2007

Station Landfast ice breakup Clearance from ice Ice formation (water body) Start End First Final F Stable First Mirny Actual 25.12. 09.02 05.03 NO 16.03 2006 16.03 (roadstead) Multiyear 23.12 05.02 12.02 NO 12.03 average 11.03 Progress Actual 02.01 12.02 NO NO 10.02 10.02 (Vostochnaya Multiyear 30.12 13.01 NO NO 17.02 Bay) average 16.02 Bellingshausen CLEAR from 25 October 2006 (Ardley Bay)

Note: NO - phenomenon was not observed (did not occur).

Scale 1:34 000 000

Fig. 4.1. Average location of the external northern sea ice edge in the Southern Ocean in February 2007 (1) relative to its maximum (2), average (3) and minimum (4) spreading for a multiyear period (1971-2005).

5. RESULTS OF TOTAL OZONE MEASUREMENTS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2007

Regular observations of total ozone in the first quarter of 2007 were continued at Mirny, Novolazarevskaya and Vostok stations. The results of measurements at these stations are presented in Fig. 5.1. At all stations during January there was a tendency towards a small increase of ozone concentration, and during March – towards its decrease. Comparatively large TO fluctuations within a month in January were noted at Mirny station – from 260 Dobson units (10 January) to 337 Dobson units (24 January). The most significant ozone decrease in March was observed at Vostok station – from 292 Dobson units (on 1 March) to 207 Dobson units (on 20 March).

400 400

350 350

300 300 ) 250 250

200 200

150 150 Total ozone (DU 100 100 1 2 3 50 50

0 0 1.1 11.1 21.1 31.1 10.2 20.2 2.3 12.3 22.3 1.4 Date

Fig. 5.1. Mean daily values of total ozone at Mirny (1), Novolazarevskaya (2) and Vostok (3) stations in the first quarter of 2007.

The mean monthly TO values at Mirny and Novolazarevskaya stations in January and February 2007 were much higher than in 2006 [1] (at Mirny station - 297 Dobson units in January and 315 Dobson units in February, at Novolazarevskaya station - 283 Dobson units in January and 301 Dobson units in February). At Vostok station in January, the mean monthly TO value of 274 Dobson units was lower than in 2006 and in February, the value of 290 Dobson units was slightly higher than in the previous year. In March, the mean monthly TO value at Mirny and Novolazarevskaya stations were close at these two stations (284 Dobson units at Mirny station and 282 Dobson units at Novolazarevskaya station) and close to mean monthly values at these stations in 2006 (286 and 283 Dobson units, respectively). At Vostok station, the mean monthly TO value of 245 Dobson units in March was much lower than in 2006 (287 Dobson units). Such low TO values in March at Vostok station cause some doubts, since especially in the second part of the month, the TO values measured at the station are by 15-20% lower than the corresponding values obtained from satellite data [2]. However it will be possible to perform a detailed analysis of these measurements only after the return of the expedition. The root-mean-square deviations in January at Mirny station and in March at Vostok station comprised 23 and 22 Dobson units, respectively, while in the other months they were equal at all stations to 7-14 Dobson units. References 1. Quarterly Bulletin “State of Antarctic Environment. January-March 2006. Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations”, SI AARI, Russian Antarctic Expedition, 2006, No.1 (34), p.58 2. http://toms.gsfc.nasa.gov/pub/omi/

6. GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS AT RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN JANUARY–MARCH 2007

MIRNY OBSERVATORY Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

January February March Declination 87º09.7´W 87º08.9´W 87º08.9´W Horizontal component 13903 nT 13908 nT 13908 nT Vertical component -57624 nT -57619 nT -57610 nT

Mirny, January 2007

3 dB

max, 2 A

0 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31

Mirny, February 2007

3 , dB

max 2 A

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Mirny, March 2007

3 , dB

max 2 A

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Fig. 6.1 Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations in Mirny Observatory.

Mirny, October 2006

6 00UT 4 12UT f0F2, MHz f0F2,

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Mirny, November 2006

6 00UT 12UT 4 f0F2, MHz f0F2,

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Mirny, December 2006

6 00UT 12UT 4 f0F2, MHz f0F2,

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Fig. 6.2 Daily variations of critical frequencies of the F2 (f0F2) layer in Mirny Observatory.

PROGRESS STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

January February March Declination 73º44.47´W 73º45.7´W 73º42.41´W Horizontal component 16776 nT 16775 nT 16807 nT Vertical component -50537 nT -50527 nT -50506 nT

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

January February March Declination 27º06.2´W 27º05.08´W 27º07.9´W Horizontal component 18590 nT 18564 nT 18587 nT Vertical component -34863 nT -34874 nT -34871 nT

Novolazarevskaya, January 2007

6 dB

max, 4 A

0 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31

Novolazarevskaya, February 2007

6 , dB

max 4 A

0 135791113151719212325272931

Novolazarevskaya, March 2007

6 , dB

max 4 A

0 135791113151719212325272931

Fig. 6.3 Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations on Novolazarevskaya Station.

VOSTOK STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

January February March Declination 121º37.9´W 121º42.5´W 121º44.3´W Horizontal component 13467 nT 13493 nT 13513 nT Vertical component -57975 nT -57954 nT -57970 nT

Vostok, January 2007

3 , dB

max 2 A

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Vostok, February 2007

3 , dB

max 2 A

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Vostok, March 2007

3 , dB

max 2 A

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Fig. 6.4 Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations on Vostok Station. 63

7. SEISMIC OBSERVATIONS IN ANTARCTICA IN 2005

In 2005, seismic observations in Antarctica were continued at two permanent stations of the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Science (RAS GS) – at Mirny and Novolazarevskaya. At Mirny station (MIR), seismic observations are carried out from 1956 and at Novolazarevskaya station (NVL) – from 1962. The Antarctic seismic stations performed the following functions: • Monitoring of strong earthquakes with a magnitude of М>6; • Registration of earthquakes of the seismic active zone around Antarctica; • Registration of local phenomena in Antarctica including local earthquakes and fractures in the ice sheet cover. Equipment of Mirny station is represented by a set of analogue instrumentation – highly sensitive short-period seismometer SKM-3 (Vm1=25000, Tm2=0.2–1.2s) and a wide band seismometer SKD (Vm=1040, Tm=0.2–20 s) with a decreased sensitivity channel in combination with galvanometric registration. The sensors are located in a standard remote structure with two pedestals with their bases without a rigid connection with the floor. The pedestals for seismometers and galvanometers are placed on piles and are rigidly connected with each other. At the seismic Novolazarevskaya station, observations from July 1999 are carried out using a wide band seismometer SKD in a set with a 16-charge digital seismic station SDAS, developed and produced by the Central Experimental-Methodological Expedition of RAS GS (RAS GS CEME, Obninsk) jointly with the Scientific-Production Association “Geotekh”. This instrumentation with a bandwidth of 0.04–3 Hz, quantization frequency of 20 readouts per second and the dynamic range of about 90 dB has allowed us to transfer to a current digital level of collection, storage and processing of seismic records. The seismic station sensors are set up on a monolithic bedrock outcrop (gneiss) on a well at a distance of 50 m from the place of installation of the instruments for data collection and processing. Processing of records of analogue seismologic data at Mirny station consisted of the following stages: the seismograms obtained as a result of continuous observations were subjected to preliminary processing, which included keeping the registration log of the change of seismograms, referencing to the time signals and determination of the time corrections and preparation of seismograms. Then interpretation of the records of earthquakes was made, consisting of separation of arrival of seismic waves, determination of time and clear arrivals, identification of seismic waves, dynamic measurements of the maximums of main waves and determination of the earthquake parameters. At Novolazarevskaya station, the digital records of earthquakes were processed on computer using a software complex WSG according to the methodology adopted at RAS GS /1/ and was archived on compact-discs, which after the return of the expedition were submitted to the archive of RAS GS. Processing of the earthquake records at Mirny station was made according to the methodology /2/. The results of interpretation were entered the station logs on the basis of which daily operational reports were prepared and sent by telegraph to the Information-Processing Center (IPC) of RAS GS (Obninsk). These data were used in the combined processing of earthquakes in preparation of operational catalogues and a seismological bulletin /3/. In addition, observations of the level of micro-seisms and separation from records of short-period oscillations connected with fractures of the Antarctic ice sheet were carried out on a daily basis. In 2005 at Mirny station, 2258 earthquakes and separate arrivals were recorded and complete processing was made with separation of the main phases and determination of the main parameters (time in the source and magnitude) for 126 earthquakes. Data of Mirny station were used during combined processing of 452 earthquakes, of them - 87 events with a magnitude MPSP3≥6.0, including 15 events with MPSP≥6.5 (Table 7.1). At seismograms SKM-3, records of short-period oscillations connected with fractures of the Antarctic ice sheet were separated. The distribution of these events by months of 2005 is shown in Table 7.2. At Novolazarevskaya station, 1070 earthquakes and separate arrivals were recorded, processing was made with separation of the main phases and determination of the main parameters (time in the source and magnitude) for 685 earthquakes. Data of Novolazarevskaya station were used in 2005 during combined processing at IPC of RAS GS of 357 earthquakes, of them– 83 events with MPSP≥6.0 including 16 events with MPSP≥6.5 (Table 7.1). Records of short- period oscillations were identified with part of them being interpreted as fractures of the Antarctic ice sheet. Table 7.1, the main parameters of strong earthquakes are given from data of the Seismological Bulletin /3/, obtained as a result of combined processing of data of RAS GS, including stations MIR and NVL and other stations of the world network.

1 Vm – maximum amplification of seismometer 2 Tm – range of periods, corresponding to the level of amplification of 0.9Vm. 3 MPSP magnitude – earthquake force characteristic, calculated from measurements of amplitudes and periods at the maximum phase of longitudinal wave Р on records of short-period instruments (SP – short period), corresponds to the international magnitude mb 64

Table 7.1. Earthquakes with MPSP≥6.0, registered by Mirny and Novolazarevskaya stations in 2005 Epicentral distance Epicenter coordinates to the station Time at the ∆, deg Date source (by Magnitude No. Depth mm/dd/yyyy Greenwich) MPSP h, km hh:mm:ss ϕ° λ° MIR

1 01/01/2005 04:03:09 5.532 94.421 33 6.0 –4 +5 2 01/01/2005 06:25:46 5.114 92.257 33 6.3 91.66 71.5 3 01/02/2005 15:35:56 6.447 92.727 33 6.0 93.1 72.8 4 01/04/2005 09:13:12 10.719 92.367 33 6.1 96.9 77.1 5 01/06/2005 00:56:26 5.383 94.849 33 6.4 – – 6 01/09/2005 22:12:54 4.943 95.070 33 6.3 92.4 71.3 7 01/16/2005 08:25:03 –25.385 –176.365 10 6.2 83.9 67.2 8 01/16/2005 20:17:52 10.919 140.832 33 6.5 112.5 84.8 9 01/17/2005 10:50:34 10.996 140.678 33 6.1 – 84.8 10 01/18/2005 14:09:04 42.905 144.875 42 6.4 + + 11 01/22/2005 20:30:16 –7.587 159.479 26 6.3 98.8 73.8 12 01/23/2005 20:10:15 –1.112 120.019 33 6.2 94.9 68.0 13 01/24/2005 04:16:46 7.381 92.462 33 6.2 93.8 73.7 14 02/05/2005 03:34:23 15.991 145.930 130 6.3 + 91.1 15 02/05/2005 12:22:59 5.421 123.041 327 6.5 102.0 75.0 16 02/08/2005 14:48:09 –14.193 167.290 107 6.4 + 70.8 17 02/09/2005 13:27:22 4.861 95.164 33 6.0 + + 18 02/09/2005 18:46:09 26.041 144.063 33 6.5 + + 19 02/10/2005 16:53:23 –23.172 169.253 33 6.2 + 63.5 20 02/13/2005 01:22:06 5.149 94.830 33 6.0 – – 21 02/14/2005 17:06:50 –0.062 98.692 34 6.2 – – 22 02/14/2005 23:38:07 41.756 79.402 24 6.3 – – 23 02/15/2005 14:42:23 4.784 126.443 33 6.3 – –

4 – - results of processing this event are absent in the station log, 5 + - results of processing this event are present in the station log, data did not participate in the combined data processing, 6 91.6 (Epicentral distance in degrees) – shown for parameters of the sources with this station participating in combined processing of these data. 65

Epicentral distance Epicenter coordinates to the station Time at the ∆, deg Date source (by Magnitude No. Depth mm/dd/yyyy Greenwich) MPSP h, km hh:mm:ss ϕ° λ° MIR

24 02/16/2005 20:27:53 –35.697 –17.064 10 6.3 38.4 + 25 02/17/2005 05:31:25 4.769 95.165 33 6.1 + + 26 02/18/2005 19:33:43 5.545 94.433 33 6.0 – – 27 02/19/2005 00:04:45 –5.524 122.158 33 6.5 91.4 – 28 02/22/2005 02:25:20 30.744 56.753 10 6.3 + + 29 02/25/2005 23:04:00 38.143 72.704 95 6.2 + + 30 02/26/2005 12:37:38 40.728 142.360 59 6.1 – – 31 02/26/2005 12:56:50 2.914 95.587 33 6.1 90.7 + 32 03/02/2005 10:42:07 –6.554 129.980 185 7.1 – 65.1 33 03/04/2005 19:05:16 2.812 126.383 33 6.3 – – 34 03/05/2005 19:06:54 24.683 121.997 33 6.0 – – 35 03/06/2005 05:21:41 84.940 99.217 10 6.2 – + 36 03/13/2005 03:31:15 27.038 61.854 10 6.2 – + 37 03/19/2005 15:02:45 –19.981 –174.067 33 6.0 + 73.0 38 03/20/2005 01:53:43 33.806 130.246 33 6.2 + + 39 03/21/2005 12:23:53 –24.909 –63.431 574 6.2 61.9 + 40 03/21/2005 12:43:10 –24.622 –63.505 557 6.2 62.1 + 41 03/25/2005 01:04:50 5.531 94.417 32 6.1 92.7 + 42 03/28/2005 16:09:35 2.133 97.125 33 7.3 90.4 68.6 43 03/28/2005 16:21:11 0.649 96.309 33 6.0 – – 44 03/28/2005 16:38:42 1.321 97.479 33 6.1 – – 45 03/28/2005 18:30:42 0.967 97.890 33 6.4 89.6 67.5 46 03/28/2005 19:02:19 1.114 97.813 33 6.1 89.7 – 47 03/29/2005 05:16:28 2.683 96.600 33 6.0 90.8 69.1 48 03/30/2005 16:19:41 3.007 95.433 33 6.1 90.7 – 49 03/31/2005 07:23:54 1.802 97.130 33 6.0 90.1 + 50 04/03/2005 00:59:20 0.443 98.392 33 6.1 89.3 67.0 51 04/03/2005 03:10:54 2.094 98.039 33 6.4 90.7 68.6 66

Epicentral distance Epicenter coordinates to the station Time at the ∆, deg Date source (by Magnitude No. Depth mm/dd/yyyy Greenwich) MPSP h, km hh:mm:ss ϕ° λ° MIR

52 04/06/2005 11:20:05 –3.890 102.427 47 6.0 – – 53 04/07/2005 11:46:04 0.629 97.475 33 6.0 89.2 67.1 54 04/07/2005 20:04:43 30.525 83.702 33 6.0 112.8 – 55 04/09/2005 15:16:25 56.199 –154.522 10 6.1 – – 56 04/10/2005 10:29:14 –1.316 99.205 33 6.6 87.9 65.3 57 04/10/2005 11:14:18 –1.610 99.826 33 6.4 – 65.0 58 04/10/2005 11:55:30 –1.618 99.750 33 6.0 – – 59 04/10/2005 17:24:38 –1.497 99.737 33 6.1 – – 60 04/10/2005 22:22:13 35.618 140.384 33 6.3 + – 61 04/11/2005 06:11:12 2.268 96.785 33 6.1 90.5 68.7 62 04/11/2005 12:20:08 –3.376 145.850 35 6.1 – 72.8 63 04/11/2005 14:54:04 –7.187 –77.966 118 6.3 83.2 – 64 04/11/2005 17:08:49 –21.948 170.573 33 6.2 86.3 65.1 65 04/14/2005 11:29:50 –1.809 100.039 31 6.1 – 64.8 66 04/16/2005 16:38:01 1.877 97.690 22 6.3 90.4 68.4 67 04/17/2005 21:23:51 –1.537 99.635 33 6.0 87.8 – 68 04/28/2005 14:07:33 2.206 96.882 33 6.2 90.4 68.7 69 05/04/2005 04:38:09 11.809 143.657 33 6.0 – 86.4 70 05/05/2005 19:12:20 5.863 –82.647 10 6.1 – + 71 05/10/2005 01:09:06 –6.199 103.176 33 6.1 – 60.7 72 05/14/2005 05:05:16 0.640 98.547 33 6.5 89.5 – 73 05/16/2005 03:54:14 –32.589 –179.305 33 6.5 76.6 59.7 74 05/18/2005 09:10:50 –56.421 –26.681 75 6.0 21.8 49.3 75 05/18/2005 11:37:31 5.622 93.332 33 6.0 92.5 72.0 76 05/18/2005 11:37:45 5.526 93.372 33 6.1 – – 77 05/19/2005 01:54:51 2.046 97.074 33 6.5 + 68.5 78 05/21/2005 05:11:34 –3.217 –81.098 37 6.1 88.0 + 79 05/21/2005 23:01:11 5.316 94.819 33 6.2 92.7 71.7 67

Epicentral distance Epicenter coordinates to the station Time at the ∆, deg Date source (by Magnitude No. Depth mm/dd/yyyy Greenwich) MPSP h, km hh:mm:ss ϕ° λ° MIR

80 05/29/2005 21:44:28 –30.041 –177.936 33 6.1 79.2 62.5 81 06/01/2005 20:06:40 28.855 94.569 33 6.1 + – 82 06/02/2005 10:55:52 –24.074 –66.974 119 6.0 63.8 88.4 83 06/04/2005 14:50:46 –6.337 146.803 33 6.0 97.3 70.4 84 06/08/2005 06:28:11 2.287 96.803 38 6.0 90.5 68.7 85 06/13/2005 22:44:30 –19.896 –69.282 99 6.9 68.5 92.8 86 06/14/2005 17:10:14 51.266 179.482 41 6.2 + 134.2 87 06/15/2005 02:50:51 41.338 –125.837 10 6.3 143.6 146.9 88 06/15/2005 10:13:54 –4.444 153.139 33 6.0 – 74.4 89 06/17/2005 06:21:41 40.768 –126.490 10 6.4 143.3 146.2 90 06/26/2005 08:22:56 1.853 125.701 38 6.0 – 72.1 91 06/27/2005 11:35:46 18.869 –107.272 33 6.0 – + 92 07/05/2005 01:52:01 1.875 97.178 22 6.3 90.2 – 93 07/09/2005 10:07:01 2.832 126.631 33 6.0 – 73.3 94 07/09/2005 23:37:08 33.407 140.925 46 6.0 + + 95 07/11/2005 12:01:34 –23.623 –111.670 10 6.0 77.9 88.2 96 07/23/2005 07:34:59 35.910 139.956 75 6.3 135.8 + 97 07/24/2005 15:42:07 7.939 92.181 33 6.8 94.3 74.3 98 07/26/2005 14:11:33 –15.129 –73.026 93 6.0 74.1 – 99 07/29/2005 20:33:38 2.887 93.561 33 6.0 90.0 69.3 100 07/30/2005 15:13:19 5.279 94.553 42 6.0 92.6 71.7 101 08/03/2005 11:03:12 11.277 –85.560 10 6.4 – – 102 08/04/2005 09:26:47 –3.576 140.138 10 6.0 98.4 70.8 103 08/04/2005 10:27:11 –26.476 –114.483 10 6.0 76.0 84.9 104 08/13/2005 07:36:49 20.130 145.747 33 6.0 – 94.9 105 08/16/2005 02:46:26 38.344 142.070 33 6.7 138.7 111.1 106 08/24/2005 10:15:31 38.517 142.873 33 6.1 – – 107 08/30/2005 18:10:46 38.643 143.061 33 6.0 – 111.6 68

Epicentral distance Epicenter coordinates to the station Time at the ∆, deg Date source (by Magnitude No. Depth mm/dd/yyyy Greenwich) MPSP h, km hh:mm:ss ϕ° λ° MIR

108 09/02/2005 18:35:14 10.338 138.250 33 6.0 – 83.5 109 09/09/2005 07:26:41 –4.417 153.406 77 6.5 100.8 74.5 110 09/10/2005 16:57:45 4.989 95.132 39 6.0 – 71.4 111 09/16/2005 00:31:45 –5.660 153.433 33 6.3 – 73.4 112 09/21/2005 02:25:06 43.846 146.203 99 6.1 145.0 – 113 09/23/2005 13:48:31 16.327 –87.471 37 6.1 – 129.8 114 09/26/2005 01:55:31 –5.584 –76.390 71 7.1 84.2 107.6 115 09/29/2005 15:50:25 –5.166 151.748 33 6.2 99.7 73.2 116 09/29/2005 18:23:26 –5.399 151.771 35 6.1 – 73.0 117 10/05/2005 10:07:24 –20.407 –174.340 33 6.0 89.0 72.5 118 10/08/2005 03:50:38 34.626 73.627 22 6.8 113.9 102.0 119 10/08/2005 04:26:12 34.757 73.155 25 6.0 – – 120 10/08/2005 10:46:30 34.901 73.148 23 6.3 114.0 102.3 121 10/08/2005 21:13:30 34.747 73.204 9 6.1 – – 122 10/11/2005 15:05:38 4.908 95.139 33 6.2 92.4 71.3 123 10/13/2005 22:04:09 –5.061 153.663 33 6.0 – 74.0 124 10/15/2005 10:06:14 46.803 154.115 36 6.1 150.0 122.2 125 10/15/2005 15:50:59 25.353 123.345 128 6.3 120.8 94.5 126 10/17/2005 07:12:43 –49.539 163.966 19 6.0 – 38.7 127 10/19/2005 11:44:41 36.462 140.873 33 6.4 + – 128 10/29/2005 04:05:56 –44.805 96.988 10 6.2 47.0 21.9 129 11/13/2005 10:24:59 –2.944 128.933 33 6.0 95.9 – 130 11/14/2005 21:38:53 38.107 144.876 33 6.8 139.3 + 131 11/17/2005 19:26:54 –22.203 –67.922 149 6.1 65.9 90.4 132 11/19/2005 14:10:13 2.312 96.727 33 6.1 90.5 68.8 133 11/20/2005 12:53:01 53.881 –164.124 33 6.0 – – 134 11/21/2005 15:36:27 30.971 130.007 126 6.0 128.1 – 135 11/22/2005 15:11:28 –5.093 145.213 53 6.1 – 71.0 69

Epicentral distance Epicenter coordinates to the station Time at the ∆, deg Date source (by Magnitude No. Depth mm/dd/yyyy Greenwich) MPSP h, km hh:mm:ss ϕ° λ° MIR

136 11/27/2005 10:22:21 26.838 55.819 33 6.2 + – 137 11/28/2005 16:41:31 20.322 146.021 45 6.2 122.9 + 138 12/02/2005 13:13:09 38.219 142.125 33 6.2 138.6 111.0 139 12/03/2005 16:10:38 29.365 130.340 33 6.2 + – 140 12/05/2005 12:19:52 –6.112 29.758 10 6.6 65.6 74.0 141 12/07/2005 23:32:52 –29.962 –177.637 33 6.2 79.3 62.7 142 12/11/2005 14:20:46 –6.448 152.145 33 6.6 98.5 72.2 143 12/12/2005 21:01:43 43.364 139.360 58 6.0 142.4 – 144 12/12/2005 21:47:44 36.416 71.133 224 6.0 114.9 + 145 12/13/2005 03:16:05 –15.262 –178.589 10 6.1 93.9 75.5 146 12/16/2005 18:32:13 38.594 141.937 26 6.0 138.9 – 147 12/20/2005 05:51:13 12.257 140.906 33 6.1 + 86.0 148 12/21/2005 07:09:05 0.035 124.531 33 6.4 97.4 70.1 149 12/21/2005 14:32:38 6.750 –82.661 10 6.0 97.8 – Total number of earthquakes with MPSP≥6.0 registered for 2005 103 108 Total number of earthquakes with MPSP≥6.0 participating in combined processing for 2005 83 84

Table 7.2.

Data on ice shears in 2005 registered at Mirny station Number of registered shears Month Mirny January 7 February 3 March 18 April 19 May 34 June 14 July 13 August 16 September 7 October 14 November 13 December 7

A significant number of the epicenters of earthquakes registered by Mirny and Novolazarevskaya stations are located in the Southern Hemisphere, in the regions of the Pacific Ocean seismic belt, a significant number is situated in the area of South America, the South Sandwich Islands, and also the Balleny Islands (Fig.7.1). In the area of the seismic belt of Antarctica in 2005, at Mirny station -77 earthquakes and at Novolazarevskaya station -96 earthquakes with MPSP=4.0–6.0 were registered (Fig.7.1б). 71

а)

Conventional designations:

– epicenters of earthquakes – seismic stations

Magnitude MPSP

3.6-4.5 4.6-5.5 5.6-6.5 6.6-7.5

б)

Fig.7.1 (а, b). Maps of the epicenters of earthquakes, registered by Mirny and Novolazarevskaya stations in 2005: а) at Earth, b) in the area of the seismic belt of Antarctica. According to data /3,4/, the earthquakes were not registered in 2005 in the mainland area of Antarctica. Three earthquakes took place in the offshore area of Antarctica: on 22 February with MPSP=5.6 in Davis Bay, near Clarie Coast /3/ (NVL – 38°; MIR – 16°), on 19 June with MPSP=5.5 in the area of Brabant Island, the South Shetland Islands, near the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula /3/ (NVL – 27.8°; MIR – 49°), on 11 October with mb=4.9 in Lauritzen Bay and near Oates coast /4/ (NVL – 39.9°; MIR – 25.9°). Mirny station registered the surface waves from the earthquake on 22 February, at Novolazarevskaya station, the earthquake was registered on 19 June and complete processing of its record was made (Fig.7.2).

Fig.7.2. Digital record of the earthquake at Novolazarevskaya station on 19 June 2005 at 13h54m46s, Greenwich time, in the area of Brabant Island, the South Shetland Islands (∆=27.8°). All observation materials – compact-discs with records of the wave forms at Novolazarevskaya station, seismograms of Mirny station and the results of data processing (databases, station logs and reports), obtained at Mirny and Novolazarevskaya stations, are stored in the archive of the RAS Geophysical Service and are made available on request to a wide range of users. The authors are grateful to specialists of the RAS GS V.F. Babkina and O.P. Kamenskaya for help in preparing the materials for the article.

References: 1. Mekhryushev D.Yu. Edited, 2004. Results of complex seismological and geophysical observations and data processing at the base of permanent and mobile seismic networks (Report of CEME of RAS GS for 2003). Obninsk, archives of RAS GS. 2. Kondorskaya N.V.(supervisor) et al., 1981. Instruction on the order of conducting and processing observations at the seismic stations of one common system of seismic observations of the USSR. М., Nauka. 3. Seismological bulletin (every 10 days), 2005, RAS GS. 4. Machine-readable EDR NEIC, 2005.

8. MAIN RAE EVENTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2007

01.01 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” completed all logistical operations for supply of Mirny station for the period of the 52nd RAE. 02.01 The R/V “Akademik Aleksander Karpinsky” began planned geological-geophysical operations in the area of the Mawson Sea 02.01 – A complex of activities of the special high-latitudinal Antarctic expedition was carried out. The 10.01 expedition included: Deputy Chairman of the State Duma A.N.Chilingarov, Chairman of the FSS A.N.Patrushev, Head of Roshydromet A.I.Bedritsky. The expedition had airplane TU-154 (delivery from Moscow to Punta-Arenas (Chile)), airplane AN-124 (delivery of two helicopters Mi-8 MTV from Moscow to Punta Arenas (Chile)), airplane AN-74 (delivery of the expedition participants from Punta-Arenas to the area of the Chilean field camp Patriot Hills and back) and two helicopters Mi-8 MTV for delivery of the expedition participants from the camp Patriot Hills to the South Pole. During the expedition its participants visited the Antarctic stations – Bellingshausen (Russia), President Eduardo Frei (Chile), Rothera (Great Britain) and Amundsen-Scott 9the USA). 05.01- The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” provided the beginning of geological-geophysical activities at the 16.01 seasonal field bases Druzhnaya-4 and Soyuz and also delivered the construction materials for continuing capital construction of the new wintering complex at Progress station. 09.01 The geophysical sledge-caterpillar traverse departed from Vostok station under the program of radio- echo sounding of the subglacial Lake Vostok. The Travers Chief is Popov S.V. Among the traverse participants is a geophysicist from Germany. 12.01 The geophysical sledge-caterpillar traverse departed from Vostok station to continue the program of seismic sounding of the subglacial Lake Vostok. The Travers Chief is Popkov A.M. The Progress station is transferred to the team of the 52nd RAE. Chief of the station is Matveechev L.N. 14.01 An accident took place in a deep borehole 5G at a depth of 3658.3 m as a result of which the drill remained at the bottom and the cable was retrieved to the surface. Consultation began with the designers from the St. Petersburg Mining Institute on the methodology of eliminating the accident. 16.01 A geodetic sledge-caterpillar traverse with a team of Russian and German specialists departed from Mirny station to determine the dynamics of changes of the marginal zone (up to 100 km) of the ice dome for the last 30 years after similar measurements. 16.01- The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” carried out complex oceanographic studies in the western 21.01 Commonwealth Sea. 22.01- Airplane BT-67 (Basler) made two flights by the route Progress-Vostok-Progress for completing 25.01 supply of Vostok station and transportation of the seasonal personnel. At the time of the flight from Vostok station the airplane landed in the vicinity of the Pole of Inaccessibility for transportation of the British expedition group, which arrived to this point on skis from the air field at Novolazarevskaya station. The seasonal field camp Pole of Inaccessibility (former Soviet camp) was temporarily closed in 1958 and was not visited since that time. 26.01 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” in the area of the field base Molodezhnaya took onboard the seasonal team of Vostok station including a specialist of France and four specialists of Great Britain delivered to Molodezhnaya by airplane BT-67. 27.01 The main sledge-caterpillar traverse departed from Vostok station towards Mirny station. 29.01 In the Saint Trinity Church at Bellingshausen station a wedding ceremony took place for the first time. The Russian national A.I.Zhuldybina and the Chilean citizen Eduardo Aliaga Ilabaka were married. Chiefs and personnel of all stations on King George Island were present at the ceremony. 01.02 The airstrip at the seasonal field base Molodezhnaya was transferred to a new place – 67o40.555’ S and 46o07.380’ E, the height above sea level is 255 m. 02.02- At Novolazarevskaya station after the summer interruption the next aircraft IL-76 was received (the 05.02 7th plane for the season of the 52nd RAE). Inspection of the air field was made by the Commission of the North-West Administration of Civil Aviation of Russia. 02.02 The geodetic sledge-caterpillar traverse arrived to Mirny station after the successful fulfillment of its program. 03.02- Stay of the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” in the port of Cape Town. Fifty one people of the wintering 08.02 team of the 51st RAE and seasonal team of the 52nd RAE departed for St. Petersburg by regular flights. Forty two people of the wintering and seasonal RAE teams arrived to the ship. 07.02 The damaged drill at Vostok station was extracted from the borehole 5G from a depth of 3658 m. To continue drilling and perform geophysical measurements, work on cleaning the borehole from snow and ice accumulated to the borehole during the extraction of the drill was carried out. 13.02- The next flight of airplane IL-76 was made by the route Cape Town – Novolazarevskaya-Cape Town. 16.02 74

13.02 Four days after the departure of the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” from Cape Town, three persons without the documents who have illegally penetrated to the ship in Cape Town, were found. At the time of the next call (30.03) to Cape Town, these people were passed to the SAR authorities. 14.02 An official Indian delegation including Chairman of the State Council, Secretary of the Ministry of the Earth’s Science and Director of the National Center of the Antarctic and Ocean Research visited Novolazarevskaya station 16.02 The summer air season at the air field of Novolazarevskaya station was completed. Airplane IL-76 departed for Cape Town. Work on disassembling the aerodrome complex for the winter period began. 16.02- The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” carries out studies in the area of the barrier of Novolazarevskaya 19.02 station 18.02 Novolazarevskaya station is transferred to the team of the52nd RAE. Chief of the station – Savchenko Ye.P. 20.02- The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” made an oceanographic transect along meridian 10o E. 22.02 19.02- Airplane BT-67 made two flights from the airfield of the Chilean Frei Base (near Bellingshausen 22.02 station) to Punta-Arenas. Rotation of the wintering team from Bellingshausen station was made and the station was transferred to the team of the 52nd RAE, Chief – Shmarin A.V. 24.02- The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” carried out work on reactivating the seasonal Molodezhnaya Base. 26.02 The automatic weather station, which makes standard observations at 8 times and transmits the collected information twice a day to the Internet, was installed and put into test operation. 24.02 The German research icebreaker “Polarstern” arrived to Progress station. The German expedition staff visited the station and six specialists remained at the station for conducting studies in the area of Lake Cameron (Larsemann Oasis). 01.03 A session was held at the AARI in St. Petersburg devoted to the beginning of the International Polar Year. 01.03- The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” conducted ice routeing of the R/V “Akademik Aleksander Karpinsky” 02.03 across the ice belt of the external edge of Prydz Bay. After this the R/V “Akademik Aleksander Karpinsky” jointly with the “Polarstern” began geological-geophysical marine studies in the area of Prydz Bay in the framework of the IPY Program. 03.03- The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” carried out operations in the vicinity of Progress station. The ice class 10.03 barge “Progress-4” was launched from board the ship to deliver heavy cargos (transport vehicles and metal structures for construction). 05.03 A sledge-caterpillar traverse Mirny-Vostok-Mirny including two geophysical traverses was completed. Twelve transport vehicles with 24 expedition personnel arrived to Mirny station. All objectives of the traverse were achieved. For the first time for the last 15 years, 205 m3 of fuel, 10 t of general cargo and 1.5 t of food products were delivered to the station. 10.03- The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” operated in the area of the field base Druzhnaya-4. A complex of field 14.03 geological-geophysical activities was completed. The bases Druzhnaya-4 and Soyuz were temporarily closed for the wintering period 11.03 The R/V “Akademik Aleksander Karpinsky” completed all planned work in the area of Prydz Bay and seasonal operations under the program of the 52nd RAE. 15.03 All work on cleaning the borehole at Vostok station was completed. Caliper measurements are carried out. 17.03- The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” at the roadstead of Mirny station finished rotation of the wintering 18.03 personnel and took onboard the participants of the sledge-caterpillar traverse.

18.03 Mirny station was transferred to the team of the 52nd RAE. Chief of the station is Panfilov V.A. Change of the wintering personnel of the 51st RAE to the team of the 52nd RAE was fully completed. The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” fulfilled all planned seasonal operations and began its departure from the Antarctic for the port of Cape Town. 26.03- Call of the R/V “Akademik Aleksander Karpinsky” to the port of Cape Town. From Cape Town the 28.03 ship headed to St. Petersburg.