Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute” Russian Antarctic Expedition

Home , Leningradskaya Station, Progress Station, Zucchelli Station

FEDERAL SERVICE OF RUSSIA FOR HYDROMETEOROLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING Federal State Budgetary Institution “Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute” Russian Antarctic Expedition

QUARTERLY BULLETIN №1 (58) January - March 2012 STATE OF ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations

St. Petersburg 2012

FEDERAL SERVICE OF RUSSIA FOR HYDROMETEOROLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING Federal State Budgetary Institution “Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute” Russian Antarctic Expedition

QUARTERLY BULLETIN №1 (58) January - March 2012

STATE OF ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations

Edited by V.V. Lukin

St. Petersburg 2012

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

Authors and contributors Section 1 M. O. Krichak (RAE), Section 2 Ye .I. Aleksandrov (Department of Sea – Air Interaction), Section 3 L. Yu. Ryzhakov (Department of Ice Regime and Forecasting), Section 4 A. I. Korotkov (Department of Ice Regime and Forecasting), Section 5 Ye. Ye. Sibir (Department of Sea – Air Interaction), Section 6 I. V. Moskvin, Yu.G. Turbin (Department of Geophysics), Section 7 V. V. Lukin (RAE), Section 8 V. L. Martyanov (RAE),

Translated by I.I. Solovieva http://www.aari.aq/, Antarctica/ 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; 337 31 04 Fax: (812) 337 31 86 E-mail: [email protected]

CONTENTS

PREFACE 1

1. DATA OF AEROMETEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS 3 2. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN JANUARY – MARCH 2012 42

3. REVIEW OF THE ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES OVER THE ANTARCTIC IN JANUARY – MARCH 2012 48 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 2012 50

5. RESULTS OF TOTAL OZONE MEASUREMENTS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN JANUARY – MARCH 2012 53 6. GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN JANUARY – MARCH 2012 54 7. THE LONG WAY TO LAKE VOSTOK IS FINISHED 65

8. MAIN RAE EVENTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2012 67

PREFACE

The activity of the Russian Antarctic Expedition in the first quarter of 2012 was carried out at five permanent year-round Antarctic stations – Mirny, Novolazarevskaya, Bellingshausen, Progress and Vostok and at the field bases Molodezhnaya, Leningradskaya, Russkaya and Druzhnaya-4. The work was carried out by the wintering team of the 56th RAE and the seasonal team of the 57th RAE under a full complex of the Antarctic environmental monitoring programs. At the field bases Molodezhnaya, Leningradskaya, Russkaya and Druzhnaya-4, the automatic meteorological stations AWS, model MAWS-110, and the automatic geodetic complexes FAGS were in operation. Section I in this issue of the Bulletin contains monthly averages and extreme data of standard meteorological and solar radiation observations carried out at permanent stations in January-March 2012 and also data of upper-air sounding carried out at two stations – Mirny and Novolazarevskaya once a day at 00 hours of Universal Time Coordinated (UTC). More frequent sounding is conducted during the periods of the International Geophysical Interval in accordance with the International Geophysical Calendar in 2012 during 12 - 25 March, 11 - 24 June, 10 - 23 September and 10 - 23 December 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 f fractions (normalized anomalies (f-favg)/ f). For the monthly totals of precipitation and total radiation, the relative anomalies (f/favg) are also presented. 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. For Progress station, the anomalies are not calculated due to a short observation series. 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 available in the Internet. The analysis of ice conditions in the Southern Ocean (Section 4) is based on satellite data received at Bellingshausen, Novolazarevskaya, Mirny and Progress stations and on the observations conducted at the coastal Bellingshausen, Mirny and Progress 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 the period 1971 to 2005, are used. Section 5 presents the overview of the total ozone (TO) concentration on the basis of measurements during this quarter at the Russian Antarctic stations and onboard the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” at the time of staying of the R/V in the Antarctic. The measurements are interrupted in the wintertime at the Sun’s height of less than 5o. Data of geophysical observations published in Section 6 present the results of measurements carried out under the program of geomagnetic observations, the program of space radio-emission measurements and the program of vertical sounding of the ionosphere at Mirny, Novolazarevskaya, Vostok and Progress stations. Section 7 of this issue is devoted to the pre-history of penetration to the Lake Vostok. Section 8 describes the main events of RAE logistical activity during the quarter under consideration.

RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS AND FIELD BASES MIRNY STATION STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89592 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 39.9 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 6633 S;  = 9301 E GEOMAGNETIC COORDINATES  = -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  = 7046 S;  = 1150 E GEOMAGNETIC COORDINATES  = -62.6;  = 51.0 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  = 6212 S;  = 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  = 6923 S;  = 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  = 7828 S;  = 10648 E GEOMAGNETIC COORDINATES  = -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

STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89542 HEIGHT OF AWS ABOVE SEA LEVEL 40 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 6740 S;  = 4608 E BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY November 29 – January 13 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT June 11 – July 2

FIELD BASE LENINGRADSKAYA

STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89657 HEIGHT OF AWS ABOVE SEA LEVEL 291 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 6930,1 S;  = 15923,2 E

FIELD BASE RUSSKAYA

STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89132 HEIGHT OF AWS ABOVE SEA LEVEL 140 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 7646 S;  = 13647,9 E

FIELD BASE DRUZHNAYA-4

HEIGHT OF ABOVE SEA LEVEL 50 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 6944 S;  = 7342 E

FIELD BASE SOYUZ

HEIGHT OF ABOVE SEA LEVEL 50 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 7034 S;  = 6847 E 3

1. DATA OF AEROMETEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS

JANUARY 2012

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

averages (favg) Mirny, January 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative anomaly Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 981.0 992.9 967.1 -10.0 -2.9 Air temperature, C -2.5 5.0 -10.0 -0.9 -1.0 Relative humidity, % 78 7.6 1.6 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6.8 -0.2 -0.2 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 4.3 1.2 0.9 Precipitation, mm 6.1 -9.4 -0.6 0.4 Wind speed, m/s 6.5 19.0 -1.3 -1.1 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 798.5 -19.5 -0.2 1.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 319 385 294

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.1. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Mirny station. January 2012.

Table 1.2 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Mirny, January 2012 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

977 39 -3.8 3.8 925 471 -4.3 8.2 94 10 92 0 1 850 1131 -7.9 7.4 88 8 82 0 0 700 2613 -16.1 6.7 66 4 54 0 0 500 5073 -30.1 6.5 311 1 15 0 0 400 6627 -40.0 7.1 310 2 24 0 0 300 8536 -51.1 7.1 287 4 36 0 0 200 11175 -48.1 11.5 276 7 81 1 1 150 13073 -46.7 14.0 282 7 79 1 1 100 15773 -44.4 16.8 292 7 76 1 1 70 18168 -42.0 19.5 300 6 76 2 2 50 20451 -40.1 22.4 321 4 67 2 2 30 23949 -37.9 23.7 38 3 78 3 3 20 26758 -35.8 24.0 72 6 92 6 6 10 31620 -31.0 26.4 85 12 99 18 ≥9

Table 1.3 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface height and temperature Mirny, January 2012

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -77 -2.7 0.2 0.2 700 -82 -2.6 -0.6 -0.6 500 -99 -2.4 -1.2 -1.1 400 -109 -2.3 -0.9 -1.0 300 -119 -2.4 -0.6 -0.6 200 -149 -2.6 -3.2 -2.7 150 -179 -3.3 -3.3 -3.9 100 -213 -3.9 -2.2 -2.1 70 -241 -4.2 -1.2 -1.0 50 -250 -4.3 -0.3 -0.3 30 -255 -4.0 -0.1 -0.1 20 -261 -3.9 -1.2 -0.8 10 -301 -4.1 -3.3 -1.4

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

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

averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, January 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 978.2 992.6 968.3 -13.4 -3.7 Air temperature, C -1.6 4.8 -7.1 -1.2 -1.2 Relative humidity, % 54 -3.1 -0.7 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6.1 0.1 0.1 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2.0 0.4 0.4 Precipitation, mm 3.4 0.6 0.1 1.2 Wind speed, m/s 8.9 24.0 2.3 1.6 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 817.4 -15.6 -0.3 1.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 309 328 289

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.2. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow coverage (F). Novolazarevskaya station, January 2012.

Table 1.5 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Novolazarevskaya, January 2012 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

963 122 -2.4 7.9 925 444 -3.6 10.7 111 10 90 0 1 850 1105 -8.3 8.6 102 11 94 0 1 700 2579 -18.3 7.5 94 10 92 0 0 500 5022 -31.2 8.5 109 3 34 0 0 400 6567 -41.7 7.3 154 1 11 0 0 300 8458 -54.0 6.4 257 2 15 0 0 200 11060 -50.5 9.2 292 2 37 0 0 150 12941 -49.0 11.0 314 2 35 0 0 100 15617 -45.4 13.2 22 2 44 0 0 70 18011 -40.9 15.7 56 3 66 0 0 50 20316 -37.5 17.6 74 4 82 0 0 30 23860 -34.5 19.5 85 6 92 0 0 20 26698 -32.6 20.5 88 7 97 0 0 10 31620 -28.0 23.1 85 9 95 6 6

Table 1.6 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature Novolazarevskaya, January 2012

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -115 -3.4 0.0 0.0 700 -121 -3.2 -0.7 -0.6 500 -135 -2.8 -0.4 -0.3 400 -141 -2.6 -0.8 -0.6 300 -156 -2.6 -2.2 -1.8 200 -212 -3.5 -4.8 -3.8 150 -259 -4.2 -5.0 -4.5 100 -314 -4.9 -3.2 -2.8 70 -338 -4.3 -0.3 -0.3 50 -339 -5.1 1.6 1.5 30 -318 -5.3 2.7 1.9 20 -290 -3.5 2.4 1.2 10 -264 -3.2 1.3 0.6

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

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

averages (favg)

Bellingshausen, January 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 986.0 1000.1 969.4 -6.9 -2.7 Air temperature, C 1.5 5.5 -1.4 0.3 0.5 Relative humidity, % 89 3.4 0.8 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 9.0 -0.2 -0.4 Lower cloudiness (sky coverage),tenths 8.0 0.3 0.4 Precipitation, mm 38.8 -1.1 -0.1 1.0 Wind speed, m/s 6.5 13.0 0.1 0.1 Prevailing wind direction, deg 315 Total radiation, MJ/m2 471.8 -4.2 -0.1 1.0

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, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). . Bellingshausen station. January 2012.

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.8

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, January 2012 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 981.5 993.1 964.1 Air temperature, 0C -0.4 4.7 -7.9 Relative humidity, % 65 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 7.2 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 3.0 Precipitation, mm 1.4 Wind speed, m/s 4.1 17.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 68 Total radiation, MJ/m2 722.1

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.4. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Progress station. January 2012.

VOSTOK STATION

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

Vostok, January 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Station surface level air pressure, hPa 626.8 632.2 619.6 -7.8 -1.9 Air temperature, C -31.6 -16.5 -43.1 0.4 0.3 Relative humidity, % 59 -13.9 -2.9 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 4.3 0.4 0.5 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0.0 -0.4 -0.7 Precipitation, mm 3.0 2.1 2.3 3.3 Wind speed, m/s 5.0 10.0 0.5 0.6 Prevailing wind direction, deg 225 Total radiation, MJ/m2 1092.2 2.2 0.1 1.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 322 336 303

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.5. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, ground level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line, precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Vostok station. January 2012.

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2

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

981.0 978.2 986.0 981.5 1000 626.8 750 500 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f -2.9 -3.7 -2.7 -1.9

Air temperature, °C -2.5 -1.6 1.5 -0.4 0 -31.6 -25 -50 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f -1.0 -1.2 0.5 0.3

Relative humidity, %

78 89 100 54 65 59 50 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f 1.6 -0.7 0.8 -2.9

Total cloudiness, tenths 9.0 6.8 7.2 10 6.1 4.3 5 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f -0.2 0.1 -0.4 0.5

Precipitation, mm

60 38.8 30 6.1 3.4 1.4 3.0 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

f/favg 0.4 1.2 1.0 3.3

Mean wind speed, m/s

15 8.9 10 6.5 6.5 4.1 5.0 5 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-fср.)/f -1.1 1.6 0.1 0.6

Fig.1.6. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. January 2012.

FEBRUARY 2012

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

averages (favg) Mirny, February 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 988.2 1000.5 970.6 -0.4 -0.1 Air temperature, 0C -6.3 0.4 -15.5 -1.1 -1.0 Relative humidity, % 75 6.6 1.5 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 4.4 -2.3 -3.8 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 3.8 0.8 0.8 Precipitation, mm 3.2 -14.0 -0.8 0.2 Wind speed, m/s 10.0 28.0 0.9 0.8 Prevailing wind direction, deg 112 Total radiation, MJ/m2 525.6 21.6 0.4 1.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 312 343 268

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.7. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Mirny station. February 2012.

Table 1.11 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Mirny, February 2012 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

984 39 -7.8 3.7 925 521 -6.7 7.9 91 12 96 0 0 850 1175 -10.5 8.1 94 10 94 0 0 700 2649 -16.5 10.0 99 3 41 0 0 500 5109 -30.0 8.9 217 5 46 0 0 400 6664 -39.9 8.2 227 7 49 0 0 300 8572 -51.3 7.8 235 10 59 0 0 200 11215 -47.3 9.8 249 11 83 0 0 150 13120 -46.0 12.7 254 10 84 0 0 100 15818 -45.9 15.5 255 8 80 0 0 70 18186 -44.9 16.9 260 6 74 0 0 50 20438 -44.1 17.8 268 4 59 1 1 30 23869 -42.4 19.6 276 1 16 1 2 20 26614 -40.4 20.2 79 2 37 1 1

Table 1.12 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature Mirny, February 2012 P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -4 -0.1 -0.1 -0.1 700 -8 -0.3 0.3 0.3 500 -9 -0.2 0.4 0.3 400 -10 -0.2 0.3 0.2 300 -11 -0.2 -0.6 -0.4 200 -44 -0.8 -2.5 -2.1 150 -66 -1.2 -2.0 -2.1 100 -92 -1.7 -2.3 -2.3 70 -121 -2.1 -2.0 -2.3 50 -143 -2.5 -1.6 -2.0 30 -173 -2.7 -1.2 -1.3 20 -195 -2.8 -1.3 -0.9

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Table 1.13 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, February 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 987.8 1000.7 966.3 -1.3 -0.3 Air temperature, 0C -4.7 2.4 -17.2 -1.3 -1.4 Relative humidity, % 56 6.6 1.6 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 5.2 -1.1 -1.0 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2.7 1.4 2.0 Precipitation, mm 25.9 24.1 6.5 14.4 Wind speed, m/s 10.2 26.0 1.1 0.7 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 489.5 8.5 0.2 1.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 295 326 267

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.8. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow coverage (F). Novolazarevskaya station, February 2012.

Table 1.14 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Novolazarevskaya, February 2012 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 -5.2 7.7 925 512 -5.9 10.9 107 15 95 0 0 850 1168 -10.1 8.5 91 13 97 0 0 700 2638 -17.5 7.0 77 10 86 0 0 500 5098 -30.1 6.9 35 4 36 0 0 400 6651 -40.3 5.9 331 4 30 0 1 300 8555 -52.6 5.4 307 6 35 0 0 200 11178 -48.4 8.5 295 5 50 0 0 150 13075 -47.0 10.0 282 4 58 0 0 100 15761 -46.5 11.2 268 3 54 0 0 70 18123 -45.4 12.1 246 2 48 1 1 50 20366 -44.4 12.8 213 2 36 1 1 30 23783 -43.5 14.0 138 1 41 3 3 20 26510 -42.1 14.6 80 2 47 3 3 10 31213 -38.9 14.8 104 1 34 10 9

Table 1.15 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature Novolazarevskaya, February 2012

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -18 -0.5 0.6 0.6 700 -17 -0.5 1.6 1.7 500 -1 0.0 1.9 1.4 400 7 0.2 1.6 1.3 300 10 0.2 -0.5 -0.4 200 -29 -0.7 -3.1 -2.3 150 -56 -1.3 -2.5 -2.5 100 -88 -1.9 -2.6 -2.6 70 -120 -2.4 -2.2 -2.2 50 -154 -2.8 -1.7 -2.0 30 -192 -2.9 -1.4 -1.0 20 -217 -2.9 -1.8 -1.0 10 -303 -3.8 -3.2 -1.4

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

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

averages (favg) Bellingshausen, February 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 985.8 1017.4 958.7 -3.9 -1.5 Air temperature, 0C 0.8 4.4 -5.5 -0.6 -0.9 Relative humidity, % 84 -3.9 -1.1 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 8.3 -0.8 -1.3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 7.3 -0.5 -0.6 Precipitation, mm 61.7 -5.4 -0.3 0.9 Wind speed, m/s 6.9 17.0 0.0 0.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 315 Total radiation, MJ/m2 377.8 74.8 1.9 1.2

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.9. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Bellingshausen station. February 2012.

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.17

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, February 2012 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 989.4 1000.9 969.4 Air temperature, 0C -3.1 1.2 -8.1 Relative humidity, % 62 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 7.3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 3.1 Precipitation, mm 10.5 Wind speed, m/s 6.4 17.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 68 Total radiation, MJ/m2 421.0

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.10. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F).

Progress station. February 2012.

VOSTOK STATION

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

averages (favg) Vostok, February 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Station surface level air pressure, hPa 627.1 641.0 617.5 -2.6 -0.6 Air temperature, C -45.9 -33.6 -59.3 -1.5 -0.9 Relative humidity, % 58 -13.7 -2.6 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 4.6 1.0 1.3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0.0 0.0 0.0 Precipitation, mm 1.5 0.7 1.0 1.9 Wind speed, m/s 5.0 10.0 0.0 0.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 225 Total radiation, MJ/m2 636.4 33.4 1.2 1.1 Total ozone content (TO), DU 294 308 276

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.11. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, ground level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Vostok station. February 2012.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

AtmosphericAtmospheric pressure pressure at sea atlevel, sea hPalevel, (pressure hPa at Vostok station is ground level pressure) 987 987.5 996 988.8 1100 988.2 987.8 985.8 989.4 900 628.4 1000700 750500 627.1 500 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f -0.1 -0.3 -1.5 -0.6

AirAir temperature,temperature, °C°C

-6.3 -4.7 0.8 -3.1 210500 2.4 -101 -30-250 -6.3 -4.7 -3.1 -45.9 -500-50 -6.2 -4.3 -3.5 -44.4-45.9 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok Vostok

(f-favg)/f -1.0 -1.4 -0.9 -0.9

RelativeRelative humidity,humidity, %%

7572 8884 79 100 4656 5762 58 50 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-favg)/f 1.5 1.6 -1.1 -2.6

TotalTotal cloudiness,cloudiness, tenthstenths 9.5 7.6 8.39.5 7.77.3 10 5.27.6 7.7 4.54.44.5 4.6 5 0.90.9 0 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-favg)/f -3.8 -1.0 -1.3 1.3

Precipitation,Precipitation,Precipitation, mm mmmm

2 80 10090 61.7 601 14.5 25.9 10.5 3050 3.2 7.5 5.5 1.50 100 0 MirnyMirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok Vostok f/favg 0.2 14.4 0.9 1.9

MeanMean windwind speed,speed, m/sm/s

10.2 1520 10.610.0 10.2 6.9 10 6.6 6.45 4.85.0 105 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-fср.)/f 0.8 0.7 0.0 0.0 29

Fig. 1.12. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. February 2012.

MARCH 2012

MIRNY STATION

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

averages (favg) Mirny, March 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 982.7 993.6 967.1 -4.2 0.0 Air temperature, 0C -10.6 -1.4 -20.8 -0.5 -0.3 Relative humidity, % 76 6.4 1.3 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6.6 -0.1 -0.1 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2.9 0.1 0.1 Precipitation, mm 15.5 -14.1 -0.5 0.5 Wind speed, m/s 11.8 23.0 0.8 0.7 Prevailing wind direction, deg 158 Total radiation, MJ/m2 260.2 -29.8 -0.8 0.9 Total ozone content (TO), DU 318 355 294

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.13. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Mirny station. March 2012.

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

Mirny, March 2012 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

978 39 -10.5 3.8 925 464 -10.3 5.8 95 12 90 0 0 850 1110 -13.3 5.9 90 8 73 0 0 700 2571 -19.2 6.3 56 1 13 0 0 500 5000 -33.4 7.0 291 4 33 0 0 400 6535 -42.4 6.8 271 7 46 0 0 300 8434 -50.2 7.0 276 11 63 0 1 200 11105 -45.8 9.1 271 14 86 0 0 150 13016 -46.2 11.2 271 13 92 0 0 100 15700 -47.4 12.9 273 13 92 0 0 70 18048 -47.6 13.8 274 12 95 0 0 50 20267 -47.7 14.5 275 12 95 0 0 30 23629 -47.4 15.8 277 12 94 1 1 20 26308 -46.1 16.7 281 12 94 1 1

Table 1.21 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature

Mirny, March 2012

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -35 -1.2 0.4 0.4 700 -38 -1.2 -0.1 -0.2 500 -49 -1.1 -0.8 -0.5 400 -51 -0.8 -0.2 -0.2 300 -51 -0.9 1.7 1.3 200 -41 -0.7 1.0 0.8 150 -39 -0.7 0.3 0.3 100 -40 -0.7 -0.4 -0.5 70 -53 -0.8 -0.3 -0.3 50 -57 -0.9 0.1 0.1 30 -59 -0.8 0.2 0.1 20 -57 -0.5 0.4 0.2

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Table 1.22

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

averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, March 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 987.3 999.5 972.4 1.1 0.3 Air temperature, 0C -9.5 0.2 -17.5 -1.7 -1.5 Relative humidity, % 45 -4.2 -0.9 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 4.7 -1.6 -1.6 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 1.0 -0.7 -0.6 Precipitation, mm 0.0 -8.9 -0.5 0.0 Wind speed, m/s 8.8 26.0 -1.8 -1.3 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 270.9 20.9 0.8 1.1 Total ozone content (TO), DU 284 335 240

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.14. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow coverage (F). Novolazarevskaya station, March 2012.

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

Novolazarevskaya, March 2012 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 -9.7 10.9 925 504 -9.7 14.5 119 12 93 0 0 850 1149 -14.1 12.8 107 11 91 0 0 700 2599 -20.7 10.3 122 5 60 0 0 500 5025 -33.5 9.6 226 5 56 0 0 400 6554 -43.2 8.6 229 8 63 0 0 300 8441 -53.9 7.5 237 10 67 0 0 200 11063 -49.1 11.9 241 8 81 1 1 150 12953 -48.6 13.8 245 8 82 1 1 100 15612 -49.6 15.0 252 7 80 1 1 70 17931 -50.2 14.7 257 6 86 3 3 50 20120 -50.8 15.0 270 6 91 3 3 30 23451 -50.8 15.7 274 7 95 6 6 20 26079 -50.0 15.5 282 7 96 8 8

Table 1.24 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature

Novolazarevskaya, March 2012

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -5 -0.2 -0.8 -0.8 700 -15 -0.4 -0.2 -0.1 500 -14 -0.3 0.4 0.2 400 -17 -0.3 0.4 0.3 300 -17 -0.3 -0.4 -0.3 200 -30 -0.5 -1.0 -0.8 150 -38 -0.6 -0.9 -1.0 100 -51 -0.9 -1.2 -1.1 70 -78 -1.2 -1.0 -0.9 50 -94 -1.4 -0.9 -0.6 30 -80 -0.7 0.2 0.1 20 -129 -1.3 -0.5 -0.2

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

Table 1.25

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

Bellingshausen, March 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 991.1 1015.0 964.0 0.2 0.0 Air temperature, 0C 0.9 7.4 -4.7 0.6 0.7 Relative humidity, % 88 0.7 0.2 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 9.2 0.2 0.7 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 8.2 0.4 0.5 Precipitation, mm 68.2 -4.0 -0.2 0.9 Wind speed, m/s 6.6 15.0 -0.5 -0.7 Prevailing wind direction, deg 45 Total radiation, MJ/m2 201.0 6.0 0.3 1.0

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.15. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Bellingshausen station. March 2012.

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.26

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, March 2012 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 986.0 998.1 971.9 Air temperature, 0C -9.1 -1.8 -16.2 Relative humidity, % 58 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6.3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 3.2 Precipitation, mm 3.1 Wind speed, m/s 7.1 16.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 236.3

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.16. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed 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, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Progress station. March 2012.

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

averages (favg) Vostok, March 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Ground level air pressure, hPa 622.8 629.8 616.4 -2.2 -0.6 Air temperature, C -58.4 -43.8 -71.8 -0.3 -0.1 Relative humidity, % 59 -10.2 -2.0 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 4.0 0.4 0.4 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0.0 -0.1 -0.5 Precipitation, mm 2.1 -0.1 0.0 1.0 Wind speed, m/s 5.3 9.0 -0.2 -0.2 Prevailing wind direction, deg 270 Total radiation, MJ/m2 237.8 13.8 1.0 1.1 Total ozone content (TO), DU 286 312 275

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.17. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, ground level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Vostok station. March 2012.

M A R C H 2 0 1 2

AtmosphericAtmospheric pressure, pressure,hPa (pressure hPa at Vostok station is ground level pressure) 983.9 984.9 981.5 985.7 1100 982.7 987.3 991.1 986.0 900 624.7 1000700 500750 622.8 500 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f -1.2 0.3 0.0 -0.6

Air temperature, °C

-9.5 2.60.9 -9.1 10 -10.6 -100 -20-30 -40-50 -9.8 -8 -7.1 -58.4 -60-70 -58.2 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f -0.3 -1.5 0.7 -0.1

Relative humidity, % 9088 7376 65 100 4345 6058 59 50 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok Vostok

(f-favg)/f 1.3 -0.9 0.2 -2.0

Total cloudiness, tenths 9.29 6.6 6.38 10 5.94.7 4.0 5 1.1 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f -0.1 -1.6 0.7 0.4

Precipitation,Precipitation, mmmm 68.2112.7 80120 6080 40 15.55.5 9.7 3 2040 0.00 3.1 2.1 0 0 MirnyMirny Novolaz Novolaz Bellings Bellings Progress Progress Vostok

f/favg 0.5 0.0 0.9 1.0

MeanMean windwind speed, m/s m/s 11.8 20 12.1 8.8 6.6 7.1 15 8.7 7.2 7.2 5.35 10105 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f 0.7 -5.5 -0.7 -0.2

Fig.1.18. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. March 2012.

2. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN JANUARY-MARCH 2012

Fig. 2.1 characterizes the air temperature conditions in January-March 2012 at the Antarctic continent. It presents monthly averages of surface air temperature and their anomalies and normalized 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 2012, as compared to December 2011, the below zero air temperature anomalies were observed almost over the entire continent. The largest anomalies were detected in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean coast of East Antarctica in the vicinity of Casey (-1.9 °С, -1.7 ) and Dumont D’Urville (-1.4 °С, -1.7 ) stations and in the area of the east coast of the Weddell Sea at Halley station (-2.1 °С, -2.2 ) (Fig.2.1). January 2012 at Casey and Dumont D’Urville stations was the sixth and the seventh and at Halley station the fourth coldest January for the entire observation period at these stations. Small above zero air temperature anomalies were noted in the north of the Antarctic Peninsula and in the area of the inland Vostok station. In February, the below zero air temperature anomalies were still preserved over much of the territory of Antarctica. High values of anomalies were noted in the western part of the Indian Ocean coast of East Antarctica, in the area of the Queen Maud Land. Here at Syowa and Novolazarevskaya stations the air temperature anomalies comprised -0.9 °С (-1.1 ) and -1.3 °С (-1.4 ), respectively. February at Novolazarevskaya station was the second coldest February from 1961. In the area of the Ross Sea, the South Pole and the Weddell Sea, one observed the above zero air temperature anomalies. The largest anomaly occurred at McMurdo station (2.2°С, 1.0 ). In March, similar to February, the below zero air temperature anomalies were observed over much of the territory of Antarctica. The core of the cold area was located in the coastal zone of the Atlantic sector of Antarctica. Here at Syowa and Novolazarevskaya stations, the air temperature anomalies were -2.2 °С (-1.1) and -1.7 °С (-1.5). In March, the area of the above zero air temperature anomalies covered the area of the Ross Sea, South Pole and the Antarctic Peninsula. The core of the area was near Amundsen-Scott station (2.7 °С, 1.5). At Amundsen-Scott station, March 2012 became the fourth warmest March. An assessment of long-period changes of mean monthly air temperature at the Russian stations in the first quarter manifests a statistically significant trend only at Bellingshausen station (Figs. 2.2 - 2.4). The air temperature increase at Bellingshausen station for January and February was about 0.7 and 0.6°С/44 years, and for March 0.8 °С/45 years (Table 2.1). In the last decade, appearance of the negative air temperature trend is noted at Novolazarevskaya and Mirny stations for January-March, at Bellingshausen station for January-February and at Vostok station for March.

Table 2.1

Linear trend parameters of mean monthly surface air temperature

Station, Parameter I II I I I I II I I I operation period Entire observation period 2003-2012 Novolazarevskaya °С/10 0.11 0.06 0.09 -0.66 -1.96 -2.24 years 1961-2012 % 17.4 9.1 13.0 20.6 57.6 73.9 Р - - - - 90 99 Mirny °С/10 -0.08 -0.04 0.04 -0.67 -3.34 -0.84 years 1957-2012 % 11.6 5.0 4.5 23.3 64.3 28.9 Р - - - - 95 - Vostok °С/10 0.21 0.02 0.11 1.18 1.65 -1.13 years 1958-2012 % 22.8 2.2 8.8 36.4 20.2 22.4 Р ------Bellingshausen °С/10 0.16 0.13 0.18 -0.41 -1.03 0.50 years 1968-2012 % 32.9 25.8 27.1 20.1 45.9 15.6 Р 95 90 90 - - -

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

The atmospheric pressure at the Russian stations was characterized by predominantly negative deviations from a multiyear average. The largest anomalies were observed in January. At Novolazarevskaya and Mirny stations, they comprised -13.4 hPa (-3.7) and -10.0 hPa (-2.9). At Vostok and Bellingshausen stations, the air pressure anomalies comprised -7.8 hPa (-1.9) and -6.9 hPa (-2.7), and such low atmospheric pressure was noted for the second and the fifth time, respectively, for the period of operation of these stations. The statistically significant linear trends of long- period air pressure changes at the Russian stations were observed in January at Bellingshausen, Novolazarevskaya and Mirny stations and in February – at Mirny, Novolazarevskaya and Vostok stations. The linear trend sign in all these cases is negative (Figs. 2.2-2.4). The air pressure in January was most decreased at Bellingshausen station (-6.6 hPa/44 years) and in February at Novolazarevskaya station (-6.4 hPa/51 year). The amount of precipitation in January-March at Bellingshausen station was close to a multiyear average and at Mirny station, it was below the multiyear average. At Vostok station in January-February, the precipitation amount comprised about three multiyear averages. Of interest is the monthly total of precipitation in February at Novolazarevskaya station, which is significantly greater than a multiyear average. The analysis showed that at Novolazarevskaya station, snow was blown into the precipitation gauge.

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. GUNiO RF MD, St. Petersburg, 2005

Fig. 2.1. Mean monthly and mean annual values of (1) surface air temperatures, their anomalies (2) and normalized anomalies (3) in January (I), February (II), March (III) 2012 from data of stationary meteorological stations in the South Polar Area.

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

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

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

3. REVIEW OF THE ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES OVER THE ANTARCTIC IN JANUARY-MARCH 2012

The atmospheric circulation in the zone of high and also temperate latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere is characterized in this year by the increased frequency of occurrence of zonal processes. For comparison of current data with the mean multiyear data, materials of the section “Forms of atmospheric circulation” in the “Atlas of Antarctica” /1/, and some tables from the Handbook /6/ were used. In January, the frequency of occurrence of zonal processes, which was significant according to climatic data, exceeded the multiyear average by 2 days (Table 3.1). Therefore, a significant increase of the frequency of occurrence of the zonal circulation form, which began in November 2011, noted in the previous issue of the Bulletin /4/, was continued. The belt of zonality in January 2012, which usually has a middle-latitudinal character, was slightly displaced southward and intensification of west-easterly transports occurred at the very beginning of the month and then from 7 to 8, 12 to 19, 23 to 24 and from 27 to 29 January. The most significant cyclonic activity developed in the area of the South Shetland Islands, where a two-fold excess of the multiyear precipitation average was observed. The increased cyclonic activity was also noted at the central Atlantic trajectories. So near the shores of East Antarctica, there was a motion along the meridional trajectory of the average cyclone by intensity, which brought to the coast the amount of precipitation corresponding to a monthly multiyear average. At the background of the influence of the indicated cyclones with meridional motion trajectories, a large contribution to the formation of extensive and significant fields of negative surface pressure anomalies in the East and West Antarctica regions was made by the development of cyclones in the zonal transport framework. The belt of negative atmospheric pressure anomalies extended from the Antarctic Peninsula to the Pravda Shore and spread to the inland regions with the continental High being weakened at this time. Another peculiarity of January 2012 was the formation of a significant by length belt of negative anomalies of surface air temperature at the coast of East Antarctica – from the Lazarev Sea to the Davis Sea. The amount of precipitation in most regions was within the multiyear average, except for the region of the South Shetland Islands. In February, the processes of the zonal form circulation processes still prevailed /2/. They were noted most of the first 10 days, in the middle of the second 10-day period and almost during the entire third 10-day period of the month, which comprised 17 days (Table 3.1). The meridional processes of the Ма form were noted for 4 days in the first 10-day period, which corresponds to a multiyear average for February. The meridional processes of the Мb form were observed only in the first and third 10-day periods – for 8 days, that is for 2 days longer compared to a multiyear average. The intensity of the atmospheric circulation in temperate and high latitudes had a usual character, while in the extensive region including the Weddell, Scotia and Bellingshausen Seas, it was evidently weaker. The most significant cyclonic features were formed above the Amundsen and the Lazarev Seas.

Table 3.1

Frequency of occurrence of the atmospheric circulation forms of the Southern Hemisphere and their anomalies (days) in January-March 2012

Months Frequency of occurrence Anomalies Z Ma Mb Z Ma Mb January 16 10 5 2 -1 -1 February 17 4 8 3 -4 2 March 17 8 6 2 -2 0

The processes of local character were very significant especially in East Antarctica and in the area of the Bellingshausen and the Weddell Seas. Exactly they are responsible for the snowfalls in Prydz Bay (from 10 to 12 February). In general, the cyclonic activity was more often observed at zonal trajectories. As to the processes of inter- latitudinal exchange, they were developed in the Pacific Ocean sector, and the most severe weather conditions were probably observed in the area of Russkaya station. The air temperature field in East Antarctica had a sufficiently smooth character. The dominance of insignificant positive deviations from a multiyear average was noted. As a result of the weakened inter-latitudinal exchange in East Antarctica, the precipitation deficit was noted. At the same time in the Lazarev Sea area, where a passage of an active cyclone with a large moisture supply was observed at the end of the first and beginning of the second 10-day period of February, the monthly precipitation totals at the coast stations exceeded the multiyear average. One should however take into account that at the storm wind of more than 30 m/s (see diagrams in Figs. 1.8 and 1.10) the measured values of the monthly precipitation totals can be significantly overestimated due to the snow blown into the precipitation gauge. In March 2012, the macro-processes of the zonal circulation form (Z form) in the South Polar area and in general over the hemisphere prevailed. The processes of the Z form were observed at the end of the first 10-day period 49 and during much of the second and third 10-day periods. This month, similar to the two preceding months was not distinguished by the increased intensity of the atmospheric processes and was rather more characterized by the processes of the summer period. The increased cyclonic activity was noted at the zonal trajectories, and at the Falkland, East- Atlantic, Madagascar, Kerguelen and the Pacific meridional trajectories. The most active in March extensive area of cyclonic activity was formed to the northeast of the Ross Sea. Almost symmetrically to the north of the Lazarev Sea, one observed an area of cyclonicity of a slightly less intensity. One should also note the third by intensity area of low pressure formed to the northeast of the Riiser-Larsen Sea. One should note in conclusion that a similar active development of zonal circulation in the southern hemisphere during this period of the year was noted in October-December 2009 (review /3/). These processes correspond to the multiyear tendencies analyzed in /5/.

References:

1. Atlas of the Oceans. The Antarctic. GUNiO RF MD, St. Petersburg, 2005.  324 p. 2. Dydina L.А., Rabtsevich S.V., Ryzhakov L.Yu., Savitsky G.V. Forms of atmospheric circulation in the Southern Hemisphere. Proc. AARI, 1976, v.330, p.5-16. 3. Review of the atmospheric processes over the Antarctic in October-December 2009. Quarterly Bulletin “State of Antarctic Environment” No.4 (49), 2010, AARI, Russian Antarctic Expedition, p.52-53. 4. Review of the atmospheric processes over the Antarctic in October-December 2011. Quarterly Bulletin “State of Antarctic Environment” No.4 (57), 2012, FSBI AARI, Russian Antarctic Expedition, p.52-53. 5. Ryzhakov L. Yu. Multiyear tendencies of the frequency of occurrence of the forms of atmospheric circulation of the Southern Hemisphere and their manifestations in the synoptic processes of the Antarctic. Quarterly Bulletin “State of Antarctic Environment” No.4 (21), 2002, AARI, Russian Antarctic Expedition, p.50-57. 6. The International Antarctic Weather Forecasting Handbook. Eds. Turner J. and Pendlebury S., British Antarctic Survey, 2004, 664 p.

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 2012

During the whole summer 2012 the increased by more than 10% (or 0.5 million km2) sea ice extent was preserved in the Southern Ocean with the decisive contribution of the Atlantic ice massif. There was a record advance of its eastern boundary to Vostok station for a long time and only in late February it retreated to 25 W (Fig. 4.1). In the Lazarev Sea, a narrow only about 10-20 miles wide but close and solid external belt of drifting ice was preserved. One should also note the occurrence in summer of an extensive polynya that was not observed for a long time along the entire southeast coast of the Weddell Sea – from Cape Norwegia to the area of the Argentine station Belgrano II. Under the conditions of a strongly decreased development of the Weddell polynya this year (see review 4 in /1/) the main decrease of the massif was due to intensive ice melting in the zone of the so-called western circulation cell in the internal area of the Weddell Gyre between 60-66.5 S and 25-45 W. As a result, the ice edge was displaced here to the south up to the 67th parallel. However the export ice advection from the massif “body” was intensified here unusually early - from the middle of February. Due to its impact, an ice tongue was formed in the area of 50 W, spreading by the end of the month to 61 S. Unlike the expanded Atlantic ice massif, the Pacific ice massif was elongated in a relatively narrow band between 70 S and the coast and was predominantly closely pressed against it over the entire length from Margaret Bay to Cape Colbeck. The area of the massif was slightly less than a multiyear average predominantly due to the area of Russkaya station, where the ice edge was located far in the south near the 75th parallel. The depletion of local ice resources is probably connected both with the extreme situation of a complete ice clearance in the region last year, and with the increased development of recurrent polynya in the neighboring Ross Sea. As early as the end of January, the polynya spread over the entire basin from the ice barrier up to 70 S. However it was constantly contoured by the external belt of drifting ice that was exported in the area of Russkaya station from Cape Colbeck to the northwest in direction of the Somov Sea. The belt fracture took place only in the end of February in the vicinity of the 180th meridian, and the Ross polynya was freely connected with the open ocean. Simultaneously a similar connection occurred in the area of 85 W where the coastal polynya in the Bellingshausen Sea area also expanded during February up to 70 S. The Balleny ice massif similar to most of the last years was distinguished by the increased dimensions. It stably occupied the central position and spreading to 65 S blocked again the Balleny Islands. In the Indian Ocean sector, an insignificantly decreased background sea ice extent in general was observed due to an almost complete clearance of its central part – the Commonwealth and Davis Seas, Malygintsev, Milovzorov and Vincennes Bays in the Mawson Sea. On the opposite in the marginal basins of the sector – in the Riiser-Larsen and Cosmonauts Seas and near the Wilkes Land (110 - 135 E), the external belt of very close drifting ice was present until the end of summer. One should especially note the ice preservation, which was not observed before in the D’Urville Sea. Its obligatory clearance often occurred already in December. This is connected with the fact that in winter 2011 an enormous landfast ice peninsula based on the concentration of icebergs opposite the outlet Ninnis glacier was not formed as usual. The peninsula extended along 150 E over 250 km up to 66 S, reliably hindering ice advection from the east from the Balleny ice massif. The decay of the peninsula began in late February 2010, when a giant iceberg more than 90 km long on the western side of the base of the island began shifting. The iceberg first turned in the latitudinal direction, but only in a year in March 2011, it actively started its westward drift by calving at this a tongue of a similar size of the outlet Merz glacier. The increased background residual sea ice extent in the Southern Ocean indirectly indicates a cool character of the summer of 2012, which is confirmed, for example, by multiyear fast ice in the area of Progress station. The melting of this four-year landfast ice in the equilibrium state located in Nella Bay with a thickness of about 2 m was half as large as usually comprising only half a meter and avoided again the breakup. The decay of first-year landfast ice in the nearby Vostochnaya Bay occurred quite rapidly, but similar to the roadstead of Mirny station, approximately on mean multiyear dates (Table 4.1). However significant segments of landfast ice were not subjected to breakup – near the Shackleton ice shelf in the Mawson Sea, in Purpoise Bay near the coast of the Wilkes Land in the area of the iceberg tongue Dibble in the D’Urville Sea, to the east of Leningradskaya station in the Somov Sea, between 140-150 W in the area of Russkaya station and at the head of Margaret Bay in Simonov Bay, which was not observed for a long time. The second-year landfast ice in the Cosmonauts Sea was preserved almost unbroken, being destroyed only in Amundsen Bay and partly in Alasheyev Bay near the Tange Peninsula. As usual, the eight-year old landfast ice at the head of Sandefjord Bay in Prydz Bay did not break up. However most unexpected was the repeated preservation of now the second-year landfast ice at the usual place of unloading at Novolazarevskaya station – in Belaya Bay. The thickness of this landfast ice 8 km wide comprised about 2.5 m at the edge, and of the snow cover – up to 1 m. Last year at the place of unloading of the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” to the barrier on the other side of the glacial peninsula of Cape Ostry, the landfast ice was also preserved, but it was first-year ice with a width of 2-4 km and a thickness up to 2 m. 51

So, the Antarctic navigation period 2011/12 confirmed once again the progressing complication of ice conditions in the Southern Ocean, outlined from the first years of the new millennium. The main cause of this is the increase of residual sea ice extent, which is mainly connected with the delayed dates of the Antarctic landfast ice breakup up to its preservation unbroken. The cool and icy summer determined similar to the last year the early new ice formation, which began in many coastal regions already in the middle of February (Table 4.1). As a result by the end of March, all other ice-cleared areas except for the Pacific coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, were completely covered with young ice – the central part of the Indian Ocean sector up to the 65th parallel, the Ross Sea and the Bellingshausen Sea up to 70 S. The growth of young landfast ice in the vicinity of Progress station was up to 40 cm. However most unusual was reaching of the South Orkneys by the ice tongue from the “body” of the Atlantic massif, which was threateningly hanging over Bransfield Strait.

Fig. 4.1. February 2012, mean monthly (1) location of the external northern sea ice edge, its maximum (2), average (3) and minimum spreading in the Southern Ocean for a multiyear period.

References:

1. Brief review of ice processes in the Southern Ocean according to data of satellite, ship and coastal observations at the Russian Antarctic stations in 2011. Quarterly Bulletin “State of Antarctic Environment. Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations”, No.4 (57), 2012, FSBI AARI, Russian Antarctic Expedition, p. 54 -57.

Table 4.1

Dates of the onset of main ice phases in the areas of the Russian Antarctic stations in January-March 2012

Station Landfast ice breakup Ice clearance Ice formation (water body) Start End First Final First Stable Mirny Actual 14.12.2011 29.01 29.02 NO1 07.03 10.03 (roadstead) Multiyear 23.12 05.02 12.02 NO 11.03 12.03 average Progress Actual 12.01 17.01 NO NO 31.01 12.02

(Vostochnaya Bay) Multiyear 30.12 13.01 NO NO 16.02 17.02 average Bellingshausen From 25 November 2011 — CLEAR (Ardley Bay)

Note: 1  phenomenon was not observed (does not occur) 2  all actual dates have a preliminary character and can be specified in the summary review for 2012.

53 5. RESULTS OF TOTAL OZONE MEASUREMENTS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN JANUARY – MARCH 2012

In the first quarter of 2012, regular observations of the total ozone concentration were continued at the Russian Mirny, Novolazarevskaya and Vostok stations. Measurements were also made from board the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” at the time of staying of the R/V in the Antarctic waters (south of 55○ S). During the first quarter there was a usual modification over the Antarctic from the summer type of circulation to the winter type. The temperature of the lower stratosphere decreased remaining slightly lower than th mean multiyear value for this time of the year. However it was still too warm by the end of the quarter for formation of stratospheric polar clouds [2]. The results of TO measurements are presented in Fig. 5.1. In January-February, the RMS deviations of mean monthly TO values were not higher than 18 DU, and at Vostok station, they were even less than 10 DU. The mean monthly TO values at Mirny and Vostok stations during all months of the quarter (Vostok – 322, 294 and 286 DU, Mirny – 319, 312 and 318 DU) and at Novolazarevskaya station in March (284 DU) were higher than in 2011 [1]. The average for the month ozone value at Novolazarevskaya station in January (309 DU) was lower and in February (295 DU) equal to mean monthly values in 2011. The lowest for the period under consideration TO value of 240 DU was noted at Novolazarevskaya station on 19 March, and at measurements from board the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” – 255 DU on 28 March (70°03´S, 12°23´E), when the ship was near Novolazarevskaya station.

450 450

400 400

350 350

300 300

250 250

200 200

Total ozone DU ozone Total 1 150 150 2 100 100 3 50 4 50

0 0 01.01.2012 21.01.2012 10.02.2012 01.03.2012 21.03.2012

Date

Fig. 5.1. Mean monthly total ozone values at Mirny (1), Novolazarevskaya (2) and Vostok (3) stations and from measurements onboard the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” (4) in the first quarter of 2012.

References:

1. Quarterly Bulletin “State of Antarctic Environment. Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations”, January – March 2011, No.1(54), 2011, FSBI AARI, Russian Antarctic Expedition. 2. http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/met

6. GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN JANUARY–MARCH 2012

The geomagnetic observations in the first quarter of 2012 were carried out at Vostok, Novolazarevskaya and Mirny stations under the standard program and at Progress station in the test mode after transfer of the magnetic pavilion to a new place. As can be seen from the presented data, the average quarterly absolute data of the Earth’s magnetic field (EMF) components at Vostok and Novolazarevskaya stations have not practically changed as compared with the preceding quarter. At Mirny station in the current quarter, the value of Н-component was by 48 nT smaller that in the previous one, and the value of Z-component – by 15 nT greater (without taking into account the sign of this component). Such values indicate that the time for conducting the measurements was chosen correctly and the measurements were conducted at small levels of magnetic field perturbations. At Novolazarevskaya station, one notes a consistent change of the obtained absolute values of Н- and Z- components throughout 2011 – early 2012 at the practically unchanged value of the full Т module. One of the possible causes of changes can be the change of the dip angle of the magnetic field vector in this region but there can be also other reasons. The study of these changes will be continued. The basis values at all stations are stable except for Progress station (Table 6.1). The root-mean-square (RMS) deviation of measured values is within the permissible limits. The degree of stability of the basis values determines the correctness of performance of variometers, their unchanged fixing on the basement and a possibility of the correct use of the results obtained. At Progress station, the obtained results exceed the permissible bounds due to re-installation of the instruments in the magnetic pavilion.

Table 6.1

RMS Declination, Horizontal Vertical min component, nT component, nT Station Vostok 1.10 4.45 3.89 Progress 2.40 29.3 10.5 Novolazarevskaya 0.42 8.14 6.93 Mirny 1.20 4.58 4.47

The state of the magnetosphere for the entire first quarter is reflected in Fig. 6.1, where the values of РС- index, developed at the AARI Department of Geophysics, are given. The value of 2 mV/m denoted in the Figure by the blue line, determines the level after exceeding which the processes of magneto-ionospheric perturbations can be registered at the Earth’s surface. They can be clearly seen during the period 22-31 January at the time of registering a strong polar cap absorption (PCA phenomenon), and especially in March. As now the РС-index is posted to the institute’s site practically in real time, there is a possibility to assess at any time the current state of the magnetosphere-ionosphere perturbation, i.e., determine the state of “space weather”. All events noted in the data of riometers and in the data of vertical sounding at Mirny station are also traced on the magnetograms of these stations.

Fig. 6.1. РС-index value in the first quarter of 2012.

Registration of space radio-emission was carried out at Mirny (frequencies of 32 and 40 MHz), Novolazarevskaya (frequency of 32 MHz) and Vostok (frequency of 32 MHz) stations. The data obtained can be characterized as follows. January Vostok (32 MHz). One observes the increased absorption during the period 22 to 31 January with two peaks: on 23 January with the amplitude of 17 dB and on 28 January with the amplitude of 7 dB. The entire period presents two PCA phenomena (the second began before the end of the first one). These PCA phenomena are determined by the fluxes of solar protons, which were registered in this period by satellites in the near-Earth space. Mirny (32 MHz). One observes the increased absorption on 4, 9 and 21 January with the amplitude of about 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 dB, respectively. The absorption increases occur in the absence of solar proton fluxes and at the background of low level of geomagnetic activity. It was impossible to determine the source of these increases. They are probably connected with the unstable operation of riometer or with the technical distortions. The data are absent for about 13 days during the month, which is probably connected with the snow storm distortions or the technical failure of riometer. Novolazarevskaya (32 MHz). One observes two increases of absorption: on 23 – 26 January with a peak of about 14 dB and on 26 – 31 January with two peaks on 28 and 30 January with the amplitudes of 3.5 and 4 dB, respectively. Both increases are PCA phenomena, as they are determined by the solar proton fluxes, which are registered in the interplanetary space. The absorption increases on 28 and 31 January are probably determined by eruption of auroral particles, as the increased level of geomagnetic activity is observed on these days.

February Vostok (32 MHz). One observes the increased absorption during the period 1 to 4 February (with a maximum of 0.7dB). This increase is likely to belong to the PCA phenomenon. It could be caused by the solar proton fluxes, which were noted on these days in the interplanetary space (as the end of the increase of proton 56 fluxes, which were observed in the end of January). The second absorption increase occurs on 25–27 February with the amplitude of 0.6 dB. This increase presents a PCA phenomenon, as it is determined by proton fluxes registered at this time by satellites in the interplanetary space. Mirny (32 MHz). One observes the absorption bursts on 14, 20, 22 and 25 February with the maximum values of 0.3, 0.9, 0.5 and 0.7 dB, respectively. The latter increase is probably a PCA phenomenon, as the satellites at this time register the solar proton fluxes. The other increases appear to be determined by fluxes of auroral particles, as the increased level of geomagnetic activity is observed on these days. The riometer performance is unstable: from 1 to 11 February the record is absent due to the technical failure of riometer or the snow storm distortions. Novolazarevskaya (32 MHz). One observes a gradual increase of absorption from 3 to 8 February with the amplitude of about 1.4 dB and several bursts of absorption on 15, 20, 25 and 28 February with the maximums of 3.9, 2.8, 1.4 and 2.4 dB. The gradual increase and the bursts correlate with the increase of geomagnetic activity level, and they can be considered as manifestation of auroral absorption.

March Vostok (32 MHz). One observes the increased absorption from 7 to 15 March with two peaks: on 8 March with the amplitude of 18 dB and on 14 March with the amplitude of 4.5 dB. The whole period presents two PCA phenomena (the second began before the end of the first one). These PCA phenomena are determined by the proton fluxes of solar origin registered at this time by satellites in the interplanetary space. Mirny (32 MHz). One observes the increased absorption from 7 to 18 March with 3 maximums: between 7 and 9 with the amplitude of more than 5 dB, on 14 March with the amplitude of 3 dB and on 18 March with the amplitude of 2.5 dB. The period 7 to 15 presents two PCA phenomena (the second began before the end of the first one). These PCA phenomena are determined by the solar proton fluxes, which were registered at this time by satellites in the near-Earth space. The third maximum is probably related to eruption of auroral particles as the increased geomagnetic activity is observed on these days. Novolazarevskaya (32 MHz). One observes the absorption increases on 3, 7, 9, 12, 16, 24 and 27 March, with the amplitude of 2.5, 8.5, 18, 3.2, 4.2, 1.8 and 4.5 dB. The increases on 7 and 9 March are PCA phenomena, determined by the solar proton fluxes, registered in the interplanetary space. The other increases are determined by fluxes of auroral particles, which are erupted to the magnetosphere at the high level of geomagnetic activity registered on the indicated days.

Conclusions

During the period under consideration, 5 PCA phenomena were registered (two in January, 1 in February and 2 in March), which is much greater than in the previous quarter. This testifies to the fact that in this quarter the solar proton fluxes approached the Earth much more frequently, causing the corresponding changes in the lower ionosphere. Besides the auroral absorption bursts, rather than PCA phenomena, were often observed in February and March. This also indicates a higher Sun’s activity during the quarter under consideration.

Vertical sounding of the ionosphere at Mirny station

The normal summer variations of critical frequencies of the F2 layer were observed for January and February. In January there are observation gaps. The solar proton event in early March resulted in the typical disappearance of diurnal values of critical frequencies.

CURRENT OBSERVATIONS

MIRNY STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

Horizontal Vertical Declination component component January 88º03.3´W 13696 nT -57540 nT February 88º01.0´W 13726 nT -57560 nT March 88º07.0´W 13691 nT -57576 nT

Main variometer reference values

Date D, deg. H, nТ Z, nТ 03.01.2012 -87.1917 13915 -57636 15.01.2012 -87.1250 13913 -57636 18.01.2012 -87.1650 13915 -57633 23.01.2012 -87.1567 13918 -57638 29.01.2012 -87.1783 13924 -57632 01.02.2012 -87.1250 13920 -57632 06.02.2012 -87.1267 13911 -57640 10.02.2012 -87.1183 13918 -57636 16.02.2012 -87.1450 13919 -57632 21.02.2012 -87.1517 13926 -57627 02.03.2012 -87.1517 13926 -57626 14.03.2012 -87.1483 13912 -57628 18.03.2012 -87.1433 13920 -57627 21.03.2012 -87.1383 13919 -57627 26.03.2012 -87.1450 13922 -57629 29.03.2012 -87.1300 13918 -57628

Miny, January 2012

3 B d, x 2 a m A 1

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

Mirny, February 2012

3 B d ,x 2 a m A 1

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Mirny, March 2012

4.5 B d ,x 3 a m A 1.5

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Fig. 6.2. Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations at Mirny station. 59

Mirny, January 2012

8 z H 6 00UT M , 2 12UT F 4 f0 2

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Mirny, February 2012

z 6 H 00UT M , 2 F 4 12UT f0 2

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Mirny, March 2012

8 z H 6 00UT M , 2 12UT F 4 f0 2

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Fig. 6.3. Daily variations of critical frequencies of the F2 (f0F2) layer at Mirny station. 60

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

Horizontal Vertical Declination component component January 29º09.0´W 18474 nT -34638 nT February 29º10.0´W 18471 nT -34630 nT March 29º11.6´W 18469 nT -34625 nT

Main variometer reference values

Date D, deg. H, nТ Z, nТ 03.01.2012 -29.0657 18465 -34842 08.01.2012 -29.0670 18459 -34846 09.01.2012 -29.0667 18467 -34842 17.01.2012 -29.0677 18473 -34834 24.01.2012 -29.0757 18477 -34830 27.01.2012 -29.0757 18476 -34832 03.02.2012 -29.0697 18482 -34831 06.02.2012 -29.0743 18473 -34833 13.02.2012 -29.0743 18456 -34844 17.02.2012 -29.0752 18469 -34833 23.02.2012 -29.0742 18477 -34828 29.02.2012 -29.0727 18480 -34826 06.03.2012 -29.0685 18485 -34823 13.03.2012 -29.0705 18479 -34825 20.03.2012 -29.0720 18473 -34829 30.03.2012 -29.0470 18466 -34833

Novolazarevskaya, January 2012

13.5 B d, x 9 a m A 4.5

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Novolazarevskaya, February 2012

4.5 B d ,x 3 a m A 1.5

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Novolazarevskaya, March 2012

13.5 B d ,x 9 a m A 4.5

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Fig. 6.4. Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations at Novolazarevskaya station. 62

PROGRESS STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

Horizontal Vertical Declination component component January Transfer of observation February 78º39.7´W 17019 nT -50784 nT March 78º46.6´W 17023 nT -50778 nT

Main variometer reference values

Date D, deg. H, nТ Z, nТ 02.02.2012 -78.8150 150.5 -29.5 04.02.2012 -78.7917 147.4 -28.5 10.02.2012 -78.8019 148.0 -31.3 12.02.2012 -78.8156 148.4 -30.2 14.02.2012 -78.8000 151.2 -28.7 15.02.2012 -78.8286 151.9 -27.9 16.02.2012 -78.7794 149.8 -29.0 20.02.2012 -78.8150 151.1 -27.7 21.02.2012 -78.7686 150.7 -30.8 22.02.2012 -78.7778 149.7 -31.5 24.02.2012 -78.8122 152.4 -30.0 29.02.2012 -78.8114 149.7 -29.8 01.03.2012 -78.8619 206.2 -13.5 04.03.2012 -78.8350 203.5 -10.6 15.03.2012 -78.7233 209.6 -7.5 17.03.2012 -78.8322 208.6 -9.1 19.03.2012 -78.8814 212.5 -7.2 23.03.2012 -78.8842 211.3 -7.3 27.02.2012 -78.8533 201.5 -7.6 29.03.2012 -78.8583 211.2 -7.8 63

VOSTOK STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

Horizontal Vertical Declination component component January 122º52.1´W 13555 nT -57819 nT February 122º55.2´W 13559 nT -57843 nT March 122º56.5´W 13559 nT -57852 nT

Main variometer reference values

Date D, deg. H, nТ Z, nТ 02.01.2012 -122.4625 13570 -57903 04.01.2012 -122.4686 13560 -57901 11.01.2012 -122.4706 13558 -57900 12.01.2012 -122.4811 13558 -57901 14.01.2012 -122.5056 13558 -57902 18.01.2012 -122.5092 13556 -57890 23.01.2012 -122.4878 13557 -57891 02.02.2012 -122.5103 13560 -57903 11.02.2012 -122.4936 13550 -57899 16.02.2012 -122.4844 13556 -57903 21.02.2012 -122.4992 13554 -57901 29.02.2012 -122.5089 13554 -57899 06.03.2012 -122.4961 13553 -57907 10.03.2012 -122.5361 13550 -57904 18.03.2012 -122.5189 13553 -57902 20.03.2012 -122.5031 13554 -57899 22.03.2012 -122.4997 13556 -57901 25.03.2012 -122.5036 13556 -57902 29.03.2012 -122.5103 13559 -57901

Vostok, January 2012

13.5 B d ,x 9 a m A 4.5

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Vostok, February 2012

3 B d ,x 2 a m A 1

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Vostok, March 2012

13.5 B d ,x 9 a m A 4.5

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931

Fig. 6.5. Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations at Vostok station.

65 7. THE LONG WAY TO LAKE VOSTOK IS FINISHED

On 5 February 2012 at 20 h 25 min. Moscow time, the drill in the deep ice borehole 5G-2 at Vostok station has contacted the water layer of the subglacial Lake Vostok. Thus the long 22-year stage of ice drilling of the deep borehole 5G at Vostok station was completed and the outstanding scientific-technical event of the beginning of the 20th century took place – penetration to the surface water layer of the subglacial lake. This work was carried out by specialists of the glacial-drilling team of the 57th seasonal RAE under the leadership of the Head of the Chair of the Borehole Drilling of the St. Petersburg State Mining University Professor N.I. Vasiliev. This long-expected event was preceded by many years of intensive work of the Russian engineers, scientists and diplomats, who developed and created unique drilling equipment, carried our drilling operations in the deepest ice borehole in the world, conducted studies and strived to obtain approval of the Russian technology by the international Antarctic community. The first official report about the presence of a large water body under the Russian Vostok station was made in 1994 at the open SCAR Conference in Rome by the corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Science А.P. Kapitsa. The RAE began study of Lake Vostok by means of seismic sounding by the method of reflected waves in the season of 1995-96 and in two years, these studies were expanded by using the methods of ground echo-sounding. As a result, the charts of horizontal distribution of the ice cover thickness over the lake, its water layer and bottom sediments and the coastline configuration were obtained. The water table area (about 15.5 thousand km2) and the lake water body volume (about 6 thousand km3) were determined. The penetration to the lake confirmed the high accuracy (0.5% of the depth) of national remote sensing studies of these lake characteristics. The borehole 5G, the depth of which for the period of first information about the discovery of the subglacial lake was about 3500 m, continued to remain the shortest and the most effective way of reaching the lake water body for its further investigation. In 1998 as required by the international Antarctic community, the drilling operations in the borehole were stopped at the mark of 3623 m, when 130±20 m remained to the lake water body. Our foreign colleagues were concerned with the absence of clean technology of penetration to the subglacial lake, as practically the entire borehole space was filled with the drilling fluid consisting of the kerosene/Freon mixture. In the fall of 1998, the RF Ministry of Science and Technology declared an open competition for the development of the environment-friendly technology of surface water sampling in Lake Vostok through the borehole 5G at Vostok station. This competition was won by a joint team of specialists of the St. Petersburg Mining Institute and the AARI. The development of technology was completed in the end of 2000. In March 2001, the State Ecological Expert Examination Commission of the Russian Federation issued a positive assessment for the Project “Technology of ecologically clean penetration to the subglacial Lake Vostok with the aim of water sampling through a deep ice borehole 5G-1”. This technology was presented by the Delegation of the Russian Federation at the XXIV Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) in July 2001 in St. Petersburg. At the next XXV ATCM in September 2002 in Warsaw, the delegation of the Russian Federation presented the Draft Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation (CEE) for sampling from the subglacial Lake Vostok through the ice borehole 5G-1. Based on the results of discussion of this document, the Committee on Environmental Protection (CEP) established the international Intersession Working Group of Experts (IWG) for a more detailed consideration of this project. Based on the results of the received critical comments and proposals from IWG members, the Russian Federation prepared the revised CEE for the aforementioned project and presented it at the session of the XXVI ATCM in June 2003 in Madrid. The participants of this meeting agreed with the final comments to the Russian Project, which were formulated in the text of the Final Report of the XXVI ATCM. To obtain the necessary answers to these comments the Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE) had to continue drilling in the deep borehole 5G-1 at Vostok station, which was stopped at the request of the international community in January 1998 at a depth of 3623 m. In this connection the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) to continue drilling in this borehole of new 50 m of ice (2004) and the next 75 m (2005) were prepared and the corresponding permits were received according to the procedure adopted in the Russian Federation. Due to different logistical problems, the drilling operations at Vostok station were resumed in the season of 2006-07. In October 2007, the depth of the borehole 5G-1 reached 3668 m. However as a result of a technical accident (break of the drill from the carrying cable of the drilling winch), the drilling operations were terminated and during the summer seasons of 2007-2008 and 2008-2009, the RAE specialists made attempts to extract the damaged drill from the borehole. Unfortunately all attempts were to no avail and in late January 2009, it was decided to avoid the accident area of the borehole 5G-1 by shifting the drill from the vertical. This methodology was created by specialists of the St. Petersburg Mining Institute and was already successfully applied at Vostok station. The shift began from a depth of 3590 m and in the end of January 2010, the borehole depth was 3650 m. From this time the new segment of the borehole 5G was called 5G-2. During the season 2010-2011 (the 56th seasonal RAE), 70 m more of ice was drilled and by the beginning of February 2011 the drilling was stopped at a mark of 3720 m. There remained 30±20 m to the lake water layer. This fact in principle guaranteed the success of drilling operations in the season of 2011-2012. However some unexpected circumstances occurred in the process of conducting this work, which made it doubtful that the planned drilling operations would be successful. On 6 February 2012, the final flight of the airplane was to take place to Vostok station. It was impossible to postpone it to a later date due to a number of logistical reasons. The members of 66 the glacial-drilling team made a decision to continue drilling until the moment of receiving information about this aircraft flight to Vostok station from Progress station. They planned to recover the final ice core in the season of 2011-2012 and collect their personal belongings during four hours and a half. However such tight schedule was not required as penetration to the lake occurred earlier on 5 February at the time of the one before the last flight along the above mentioned route in this Antarctic season – from Vostok station to Progress station. Onboard the aircraft at this time there were the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the RF Mr. Yu.P.Trutnev and the Head of Roshydromet А.V. Frolov who visited Vostok station on 5 February 2012. At the end of February, all participants of the drilling operations at Vostok station returned by air to St. Petersburg, and the ice core samples and frozen water that has risen from the lake surface layer to the drill were delivered to the homeport in the refrigerating chamber of the R/V “Akademik Fedorov” on 30 May 2012.

67 8. MAIN RAE EVENTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2012

01. 01 – 02. 01. 2012 Two next flights of aircraft ВТ-67 from Progress station to Vostok station were made. On 3rd January during preparation of the next aircraft flight, the transporter, which operated on the runway, has touched the aircraft wing by the cabin hatch. The aircraft could not be used requiring repair with replacement of the wing components.

02. 01 Core drilling was resumed at Vostok station in a deep borehole 5G from a depth of 3720 m.

03. 01 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” finished planned work in the area of Progress station and headed to Mirny station.

03 - 06. 01 The French-Italian sledge-caterpillar traverse arrived to Vostok station from Concordia station consisting of 5 vehicles and 12 people. On the 4th of January, the TWIN-OTTER aircraft from Concordia station landed at the airfield of Vostok station delivering equipment for the French traverse.

06. 01 The French traverse departed from Vostok station back to Concordia station.

08 – 09.01 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” finished planned work in the area of Mirny station. Resupply of the station and rotation of the wintering team were carried out. The station was transferred to the team of the 57th RAE by S.M. Nikitin and accepted by А.V. Panfilov. The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” headed back to Prydz Bay.

09. 01 Receiving broadcast of the 1st channel of the Russian TV began for the first time at Vostok station.

09.01 The next sledge-caterpillar traverse (SCT 1-2) departed Progress station consisting of seven transporters “Polar 300” and 14 mechanics-drivers. The traverse objective was to deliver fuel- lubricants, general cargo and food products to Vostok station.

11. 01 The scientific sledge-caterpillar traverse (SCT 3-2) departed Progress station consisting of two pull-tractors and 6 people. The traverse objective was to deliver to the intermediate camp at the 550th km of the route the fuel for return of SCT 1-2 and conduct the radio-echo survey of the inland areas.

11.01 The next scientific traverse (SCT 4) departed Vostok station consisting of two pull-tractors and 6 people. The aim of the traverse was to carry out the seismic survey of the subglacial Lake Vostok area.

11-13.01 The next scientific traverse (SCT 5) departed Vostok station on snow mobiles to perform a glaciological survey along the glacier flow line.

1-13.01 The next flight of aircraft IL-76 under the DROMLAN program was made along the route Capetown – Troll – Capetown.

17. 01 The new South Korean year-round Jang Bogo station was opened in the area of Terra-Nova Bay. The official persons of the Republic of South Korea arrived to the opening ceremony. The representative of the 57th RAE А.V. Masanov, who participated as an ice specialist in the cruise of the Korean icebreaker “Araon”, attended the opening ceremony.

18. 01 The Vostok station was visited by a group headed by Mr. Frederic Paulsen, which included the Special Ambassador Advisor on Polar Regions of the European Ministry of Foreign Affairs and also other persons from France, Austria, Great Britain, Canada and the Russian specialist Igor Petrenko, wintering over at Concordia. The guests were interested in the progress of drilling operations.

22. 01 The СГП 2-1 arrived at Vostok station, after which its return to Progress station was made by two transport groups: the first group comprised of two transporters with the scientific program crossed the area of Dome B and then further across the Grove mountains and the second group of five transporters returned to Progress station by the usual route. 68

22. 01 Participants of the joint US-Russian international inspection team arrived at the US McMurdo station. Among the participants are Head of RAE V.V. Lukin and RAE specialist S.Yu.Tarasenko.

23. 01 Rotation of the wintering personnel of Vostok station was made. The station was transferred by А.V. Turkeyev and accepted by А.N. Yelagin.

27. 01 The group, including the Minister of Natural Resources Yu.P.Trutnev, Head of Roshydromet A.V.Frolov, Ministerial Aid A.A.Botvinko, correspondent of the 1st channel of the Russian TV A.A.Yevstigneyev and operator A.A.Kochetkov departed Moscow by air for the Antarctic, Vostok station.

28. 01 The US-Russian inspection team after visiting McMurdo station (the USA), Scott Base (New Zealand) and Mario Zucchelli station (Italy) returned from Antarctica to Christchurch.

29. 01 The R/V “Akademik Aleksander Karpinsky” departed the port of Capetown and headed to the Commonwealth Sea for work under the program of the 57th seasonal RAE.

30. 01 The next 10th from the beginning of the season flight of aircraft IL-76 along the route Capetown – Novolazarevskaya station was made. Onboard this flight, the group headed by the Minister of Natural Resources Yu.P. Trutnev and the group of Roskosmos arrived in the Antarctic to open the next differential correction and monitoring station (DCMS) of the Russian satellite navigation system GLONASS at Progress station.

02. 02 The groups of Yu.P.Trutnev and Roskosmos were delivered to Progress station by ВТ-67 from Novolazarevskaya station via Syowa station (Japan).

04. 02 The depth of borehole 5G2 reached a depth of 3766 m. Water appeared in the borehole since a lens with water about 40 liters in volume was unsealed.

05. 02 The next flight of aircraft BT-67 with a group of the Minister of Natural Resources Yu.P. Trutnev, which included five people, was made from Progress station to Vostok station.

05. 02 At 20 h 25 min, Moscow time at a depth of 3769.3 m the drill of the borehole 5G2 penetrated the subglacial Lake Vostok.

05. 02 At Progress station, the group of Roskosmos specialists opened the third DCMS GLONASS station in Antarctica.

07 – 08. 02 The next flight of aircraft IL-76 TD was made from Cape Town to Novolazarevskaya station. A group of Administration of the Russian Art Museum was delivered to Antarctica, who opened a virtual branch of the Museum at Novolazarevskaya station. By return flight, the groups of the Minister of Natural Resources, of Roskosmos and specialists of the Russian Art Museum were delivered to Cape Town.

09. 02 The Minister of Natural Resources Yu.P. Trutnev was received by the Chairman of the Government of Russia Mr. V.V. Putin and presented to him a water sample from the subglacial Lake Vostok.

10 - 11. 02 The sledge-caterpillar transport traverses returned to Progress station from Vostok station (SCT 2) and from the 550th km (SCT 2-3).

17. 02 Director of ALCI Intaari Aeklsey Turchin has suddenly deceased in the clinic of Cape Town.

18. 02 In Moscow, Professor David Gilichinsky, Head of research of permafrost of Antarctica has deceased.

18 -24. 02 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” stayed in the port of Cape Town. The 87 people who have arrived onboard the ship after finishing work in the 56th wintering and 57th seasonal RAE flew to Moscow and St. Petersburg. To depart for the Antarctic for wintering over, 54 participants of the 57th RAE arrived to onboard the ship.

26 – 27. 02 The final 12th flight of aircraft IL-76 along the route Cape Town – Novolazarevskaya station – Cape Town was made. After this two aircraft ВТ-67 flew from Novolazarevskaya station via Halley and Rothera stations, Punta Arenas and further to Canada to the place of constant stationing.

02. 03 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” departed the port of Cape Town and headed for Progress station.

12 – 17. 03 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” fulfilled planned work in the vicinity of Progress station and the seasonal Druzhnaya-4 Base. Resupply of Progress station was finished and all seasonal field camps and bases where the geological-geophysical studies were made were temporarily closed. The ship headed to the Molodezhnaya Base.

20.03 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” completed the seasonal work at Molodezhnaya Base. All specialists of the Base including the specialist of Belarus’ were transferred to onboard the ship. The ship headed to Novolazarevskaya station.

23.03 – 05.04 The R/V “Akademik Fedorov” carried out operations in the area of the barrier of Novolazarevskaya station. In Belaya Bay where the station base is located, second-year landfast ice with a thickness of more than 2.5 m was preserved. In this connection, the operations for ship unloading were carried out only by means of helicopter.

27. 03 The ship moved to the area of Leningradsky Bay to the barrier of the Indian Expedition, which provided free tanktainers for decanting diesel fuel. The unloading operations were performed by means of transport vehicles on landfast ice rising to a 12-m ice barrier with subsequent transportation between the barrier bases using a 40-km ice route. Such work caused a week delay of the operation.