,.

CREDITS Cover and Cartography by : Rose Grove~ Photographs by: A.S. Chapman, J.A. Raymond and E.L. Hor eth (USCG )

·JOPY OF OOGUM~NT Ai SCOTT POLAR ~ESEARCH lNSTlTUTE CAMBRIDGE --- -·-- ··•·----·------

TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Illustrations "ii

Executive Summary iii

General 1

Personnel 2

Itinerary 2

Logistics 3 Procedure 3 Observations 4 ,- Leningradskaya 4

Dumont d'Urville 6

~- Casey 9

_ Mirniy 13

-- Davis 15

/ Mawson 18

Molodezhnaya 22 - Showa 25 - Novolazarevskaya 28

✓- SANAE III 31 -/ Georg von Neumayer 34 / Halley 37 General Belgrano II 41 / ~ Vice Comodoro Marambio 43 Additional Observations 46 Summary & Conclusions 48 Addendum 48 Acknowledgments 48 REPORT OF UNITED STATES OBSERVER TEAM IN ANTARCTICA

1983

Executive Summarv

In addition to promoting freedom of scientific inquiry and the exchange of scientific information, the Antarctic Tceaty pro­ hibits activities of a militacy natuce, nuclear explosions, and the disposal of radioactive waste in Antacctica. To ensure the observance of these principles, Acticle VII of the Treaty provides that each of the Consultative Parties may designate observers who shall have complete freedom of access at any time to any or all aceas of Antarctica.

During the peciod January 17 to Macch 10, 1983, a team of four U.S. nationals was in Antarctica to carry out the seventh U.S. inspection of foreign research stations since the Treaty came into force in 1961. These were mostly in Eastern Antarc­ tica, a part of the continent which had not been effectively visited by a U.S. Observer Team since 1967. The Team operated fcom the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter POLAR STAR, which was dedicated primarily to this mission . . The tour was accomplished on a west­ ward ciccumnavigation of Antarctica fcom McMurdo Station to Palmer Station, both U.S. coastal research bases.

Owing to the outstanding capabilities of the icebceaker and the professionalism of its crew -- and extraordinarily favorable ice and weather conditions -- the Team was able to visit fourteen stationso These included four Soviet, three Australian, two Ar­ gentine, and one each French, Japanese, South African, West ·German, and British stations. Four of these stations had nevec been visited previously by a U.S. Observec Team, and the changes at the other stations wece substantial. In addition, the Team met briefly with personnel of the ships· bearing the Indian and West German Antacctic expeditions and learned of the research programs of those countries.

The Observer Team found that all nations visited were com­ plying with both the provisions and the spirit of the Antarctic Treaty and its (~greed measures./ --~------· - -..__. ·-- · - . _. """I::- . ------· -- - -- . . - -- - . _.,,/ ..- ·'

ii ------_ ., - _____ .,,_, __ _

List of Illustrations

MAP Cruise Track Polar Star Pg. 1a Fig 1 USCG Cutter Polar Star 2a 2 Leningradskaya - Aerial View 3a 3 Leningradskaya - Dormitory and Scientific Building 4a 4 Dumont d' Urville - Aerial View 5a 5 Original Casey Station Sa 6 Observer Team Chief Chapman at Casey Station 9a 7 Radio Operator - Molodezhnaya 12a 8 New Construction - Davis Station 15a 9 Milodezhnaya - Chief, Wintering-Over 27th Soviet Antarctic Expedition Galkin with Observer Teams Memb ers 22a 10 Showa Station - Aerial View 25a:

1 1 Showa Station - New Laboratory Bldg 2q_a---- - .

12 Novolazarevskaya - Aerial View 27a 13 DDR Research Center 28a / 14 SANAE III Agove - Ground Meteorological Station 31a 15 SANAE III - Dining Facility 32a 16 Goerg Von Neumayer - Aerial View 33a 17 Halley Station - New Base Under Construction 36a 18 General Belgrano II - Headquarters & Dormitory 41a

19 Vice Comodoro Marambia - Aerial View 42a 20 U.S.C.G. Helicopter at Marambio 43a 21 Second Indian Antarctic Expedition 46a 22 FRG Polar Research Vessel - POLARSTERN 47a

iii REPORT OF UNITED STATES OBSERVER TEAM IN ANTARCTICA

1983

I. General

This is a report on visits to selected foreign research stations in Antarctica by a team of United States observers as provided under Article VII of the Antacctic Treaty. The fact that the Government of the United States would furnish seven weeks out of the schedule of one of its most modern and powerful icebreakers foe the endeavor requires an explanation.

The 1957-58 International Geophysical Year (IGY) was a major international scientific effoct which, among other accom­ plishments, ficmly established the principle of free access throughout Antarctica foe scientific purposes. The twelve na­ tions active in Antarctica during the IGY believed that the in­ formal international arrangements of the IGY wece so successful and such a substantial contribution to peace in the area that they sought to perpetuate, formalize, and enlarge on them. Following protracted negotiations in Washington, D.C., the Ant­ arctic Treaty was signed December 1, 1959. Ratification by the twelve governments followed soon thereafter, and the Treaty en­ tered into force June 23, 1961.

The Antarctic Treaty establishes a basis foe international cooperation in Antarctica. It reserves Antarctica exclusively for peaceful purposes and prohibits any measures of a military natuce in the region. Nuclear explosions and disposal of radio­ active waste in Antarctica are prohibited. The Treaty promotes international scientific cooperation in Antarctica, specifically through exchange of information regarding plans for research pro­ grams, exchange of scientists among expeditions and stations, and exchange of scientific observations and results.

Article VII of the Antarctic Treaty establishes procedures to promote the objectives and ensure observance of the provi­ sions of the Treaty. These aims are to be accomplished by means of onsite inspections by duly designated observers. Article VII provides that Consultative Parties may designate nationals of their countries as observers and so inform the other Consultative Parties. Observers designated in this way are to have complete freedom of access at any time to any or all areas of Antarctica. This free access specifically includes ships and aircraft at points of discharging or embarking cargoes or personnel as well as all stations, installations, and equipment in Antarctica. Aerial observation within Antarctica may also be carried out at any time. 60° 60°

90° WJ------~i -----··· ------1 90 ° E P>

® vostok (U.S.S.A.)

120° CnBlse Track of ihe USCG Cutter POLAR Sl'AR

,, 150° 180 ° 150° - 2 -

The obsecvation function is an important element in the vitality of the Antarctic Treaty system. The United States, therefore, f~om time to time exercises the right to designate official observers undec the Antarctic Tceaty. Teams of U.S. obsecvecs have been sent to Antacctica at fairly regulac intec­ vals since the Tceaty came into force. The 1983 visit was the seventh in the series, the preceding one having taken place in 1980.

I I. Pe csonnel

The 1983 United States Observec Team consisted of four U.S. nationals designated as U.S. Antacctic Obsecvers by the Under­ secretacy of State foe Secucity Assistance, Science, and Techno­ logy. The following individuals compcised the U.S. observer Team:

Dr. Albect S. Chapman , U.Sc Depactment of State

Mc. Ronald A. Gaiduk, U.S. Department of State

CDR. Macia Kazanowska, United States Navy

COL. John A. Raymond, U.S. Acms Contcol and Dis~cmament Agency

Pucsuant to Acticle VII of t he Treaty, the Department of State notified the Consultative Pacties of these designations by dip­ lomatic note dated Decemb er 9, 1982.

I II. Itinecary

The U.S. Observer Team was in Antarctica fcom Januacy 17 to March 10, 1983. Aftec an initial orientation period which in­ cluded informal visits to McMurdo and Amundsen-Scott stations, the itineca.cy developed as follows:

Date Station Countcy

January 25 Leningradskaya Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

Januacy 28 Dumont d'Ucville Fcance

Januacy 31 Casey Australia

February 2 Mi.cniy (Mi.cnyy) Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

February 4 Davis Australia

Febcuacy 7 Mawson Australia

Febcuary 9 Molodezhnaya Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 22.. e.

Fig 1 USCG Cutter Polar Star ----·------· - ·---· ·-----

- 3 -

Date Station Country

Febcuacy 10 Showa (Syowa) Japan

Febcuary 13 Novolazacevskaya Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

Feb.cua.cy 15 SANAE III Republic of South P..fcica

Februacy 16 Georg von Neumayec Federal Republic of Gecmany

Febcuary 18 Halley United Kingdom

February 19 Genecal Belgrano II Argentina

March 3 Vicecomodoro Marambio Argentina

The observation touc closed with a call at Palme.c Station of the U.S. on March 6.

IV. Logistics

These visits wece made possible through the capabilities of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter POLAR STAR in the course of a west- wacd circumnavigation of Antarctica from McMu.cdo Station to Palmer Station. The POLAR STAR, benefitting from an extraordinary span of benign weather, was able to penetrate coastal ice to within helicoptec or small boat cange of all stations it approached. With two helicopters, boats and other facilities, the vessel pro­ vided an admirable moving base fo.c the Observer Team. Consequently, no untoward bu.eden was placed on the facilities of the host sta­ tions~ and the visits did not, it is hoped, unduly disrupt thei.c routines oc strain theic capabilities.

V. P.cocec.ure

The visits we.ce undertaken to assuce the observance and to promote the objectives of the Antarctic Tceaty. The Team also looked fo.c compliance with ag.ceed measuces stemming fcom cecom­ mendations of the Antarctic T.ceaty Consultative Meetings. The Obse.cve.c Team accordingly sought to be comprehensive though___ not intrusive. In discussions with station pecsonnel, the scope and objectives of activities were elicited. Facilities, equipment, instruments, and supplies we.ce examined and photographed in suf­ ficient detail to determine genecal use oc intended purpose. The Team made a special effort to tou.c and understand the functions of any new construction taking place. Ground and aerial obser­ vations were made of each station.

In many instances, station personnel appeared to be unaware that the U.S. intended to send an observer team to Antarctica - 3C.- -

,. r - ·· .. .•-

I ~-

I J

• ..._ 1 View Fig 2 = Lenin. gr~dskaya- Aerlc.- ...,

• - - ,,.. - .. . .. - - 4 - during the 1982-83 austral summer, although all concecned gov­ ernments had been focmally notified of the U.S. Observecs' designations. Also, the departure of the Observer Team was an­ nounced in a press release issued by the U.S. A.ems Contcol and Disarmament Agency January 25, 1983.

The Observer Team made every effoct to provide additional notice by radio in advance of intended visits. Unfortunately, adverse atmosphecic conditions and a lack of infocmation cegard­ ing the times stations ace on the ~ic and the specific frequen­ cies they guard combined to frustrate these pcior notification efforts in most instances.

VI. Obsecvations

A. Russian Station - Leningradskaya (69° 30'5, 159° 23 1 E)

1. General

The visit to Leningradskaya Station took place on Januacy 25. The U.S. Observec Team arcived by two helicopters at ap­ proximately 1400 hours, having flown about 33 kilometers from the POLAR STAR which lay at the edge of the shorefast ice •.{An at­ tempt to reach the station in the morning had been thwarted by a whiteout condition which suddenly developed enroute.) The visit came as a sucprise to station pecsonnel, as cepeated attem~ts to make radio contact beforehand had been unsuccessful. Following a welcome in the station dining hall, the team was given a tour of the facilities and an explanation of the scientific programs. After the tour, the team and the Coast Guard f~ight crews partici­ pated in an informal social_ gathering with station pecsonnel. Departure was at 1700 hours~

2. Physical Description

Leningradskaya Station is situated on a narrow, sloping cidge of crystalline rock terminated on its coastal side by a sheer, 50-meter high cliff. The station is completely surrounded by the continental ice cap which dips gently towacd the coast some five kilometers away. At an elevation of approximately 300 meters, it stands well above its surcoundings and commands striking views of the Wilson Hills further inland and tabular iceberas off the coast imbedded in fast ice. ~

The station itself consists of about eleven buildings mostly set transverse to the ridge, the newer buildings situated upslope from the original structuces. Since thece is little or no level space available, the buildings ace suppocted off the surface by steel struts. Wind-blown snow had almost buried the older build­ ings. Winds at this exposed location have reached 60 metecs per second, and snowfall in December 1982 totaled 22 cm (a record). Had the Observer Team arrived a week earlier, there would have. been no suitable landing area, as station personnel, anticipating the arrival of a supply ship, had only in pceceeding days started 4a

- ·------~....------.... -..... ----- .. ------· .

·\, __ ·L :r-

~ .. y ~ ,...... ~ ,-.:.-, .,- ,. :,\ .. . "·

. . . adskaya (right) Fig 3: Lening~ ti.=--ic Dormitory and Scien .i.~ Building 5 clearing snow from the central area which serves as a helicopter pad.

3. Mission

Leningr-adskaya Station is pact of the Sovi_et------·meteorological system in Antarctica and functions as a collecting point for geo­ physical and other data.

4. Personnel

In charge for the 1982-83 year is Valeriy Secgeievich Ippolitov, who is· also the snow and ice expect. The 15-man sta­ tion complement includes two physicians (one of whom is a suc­ geon), a meteorologist, an expect on the ionosphere, a satellite engineer, a radio operator, a cook and cook's helper, and a power plant/tcactoc mechanic and assistants. During the preceding austcal summer the station complement was augmented by construc­ tion workecs. No one over 45 is assigned to the Antarctic ac­ cording to the surgeon.

5. Scientific Program

The scientific program a~ Leningcadskaya Station is concen­ trated primarily on meteorology and geophysics. Standacd meteoc­ ological surface data ace recocded continuously in analog form, converted onto perforated digital tapes, and transmitted regular­ ly to the meteorological centec at Molodezhnaya Station. Similar data ace transmitted every six hours to the international meteoro­ logical network. Solar radiation is also recorded continuously.

Although the station has instrumentation foe a number of geophysical measurements, at the time of the visit work in this general field was confined to ionosphecic slant propagation mea­ surements of signals originating at Molodezhnaya Station.

An all-points system receives data from Soviet and U.S. NOAA satellites to provide imagery for weather and sea ice analysis. No mention was made of research in biomedicine.

6. Equipment

Vehicles present generally correspond with those reported, and no· special equipment was noted. During the preceding aus­ tral summer, however, a new building and nearby platfocm wece constructed to house a cadac unit to assist incoming aircraft. There was no evidence of the year-round presence of aircraft. Indeed, considering the nature of the terrain, it would be diffi­ cult to land fixed-wing airccaft in the vicinity of the station.

Water is supplied by melting snow. The low minecal content of watec thus obtained has led to tooth and gum problems among station personnel, but these ailments have been alleviated by 5a

Fig -r) 1 • Dumont d ' Urville Aerial View - 6 - oeriodic addition of fresh fish to the diet. Diesel-powered generators provide electricity, which is also used to heat the buildings.

7. Arms

No evidence of weaponry was noted, but a flare pistol is a­ vailable for signalling or emergencies. There was no indication that any equipment was being used for military purposes.

8. Cc:mnunications

Radio equipment at the station is extensive. Leningradskaya monitors the following frequencies on a continuous basis: 13.385 MHZ (SW) and 156 MHZ (UHW).

9. Other Comments

A supply ship bringing fuel and some other supplies was expected within two weeks. Later, (early in March) the ice­ strengthened vessel Mikhael Somov was to arrive with further provisions and the station relief complement.

Leningradskaya gives the~-impression of being a precarious toe-hold on Antarctica. It lies exposed to and athwart the no­ torious katabatic winds of this coast. The fast ice alongshore prohibits penetration of all but the most powerful icebreakers to the edge of the continental ice cap. Resupply of Leningradskaya is accomplished by ship-to-station heavy helicopter.

B. French Station - Dumont d'Urville (66°40 1 S, 140°0l'E)

1. General

At approximately 1000 hours on January 28 the first incre­ ment of the Observer Team landed at the Dumont d'Urville Station. Notification of the visit had been given by radio from the POLAR STAR two hours previously. The Observer Team and air crew were escorted to the central building and were invited to join the station staff at lunch. Following this, a tour of the instal­ lation and a description of activities in progress were provided. The team returned to the ship at 1500 hours.

2. Phvsical Description

Dumont d'Urville Station is situated on Petrel Island, the largest in a series of rocky islands known as the Geology Archi­ pelago just of£ the Adelie Coast. To the west, the edge of the Antarctic ice cap terminates abruptly at the water's edge in a 20-30 meter ice precipice. The tongue of the Astrolabe Glacier - 7 - lies just a kilometec to the east and pcojects well into the ocean, spawning numecous tabulac icebecgs. Remnants of the lattec, in various stages of disintegcation, littec the sea appcoach to the station and, togethec with an occasional off­ shoce rock, make close-in navigation hazardous. The icregular­ ly shaped island is 0.8 km long and consists of a secies of counded, glacially-scouced hills cising to 44 meters above sea level at theic highest.

The ociginal base stcuctuce (built in 1952) occupies a sad­ dle in the southern pact of Petcel Island and is still used as the wocking centec and accommodation for topographic survey per­ sonnel. Most of the larger buildings were erected for the Inter­ national Geophysical Year (1957-58) and are situated on heights at the broadec northern end of the island. Some thirteen years ago more commodious and livable buildings were added to this complex. At the present time the major buildings consist of a large dining and cecreation center, a two-story dormitory with infirmary, three laboratory buildings, a power plant, a heavy repair shop, a tele­ communications/post office building, and several storage huts. · Some distance away in various dicections are a large new hangar and maintenance building, a former cocket assembly plant (now used for storage), and a dormitory . for summer-only personnel. Adelie penguins nest on the rock surfaces throughout the station complex, seemingly undisturbed in any significant way by the human activi­ ties around them.

3. Mission

Dumont d'Urville is a cesearch station which not only serves as a base for studies in meteorology, geophysics, biology, and upper atmospheric physics but also provides logistic support to summer field cesearch parties.

4. Personnel

At the time of the visit there was a total of 56 persons at Dumont d'Urville. Of these, 28 were members of the 33rd French Polar Expedition, 7 wece persons still pcesent from the 32nd Ex­ pedition, and 21 were connected with summer construction work.

The 1983-wintecing party totals 28, of whom 15 ace scien­ tists. These include 2 biologists, 4 upper atmosphere physicists, 2 geophysicists, 4 meteocologists, and one expect in radioactivi­ ty. These scientists are supported by nine technicians, includ­ ing thcee electcicians and an instrument machinist/fabricator. Head of the 33rd French Polar Expedition-was M. Robert Guillacd. M. Becnacd Pontoizeau, Chief of the 1982 Wintering Party and M. Claude Chaufciasse, Chief of the 1983 Wintering ?arty, con­ ducted the tour of the installation. - 8 -

5. Scientific Pcogcam

The scientific emphasis at Dumont d 1 Ucville is upon geophy­ sics and uppec atmosphecic physics. Computec-suppocted automatic instcumentation cecocds and analyzes vacious aspects of the eacth's magnetic field. Seismogcaphs cecocd tcemocs in the earth's ccust. Uppec atmosphecic physics studies ace focused on the ionosphere, cosmic cays, aurocal manifestations, and cadioactivity and tcace mattec in the atmosphere. Dumont d 1 Ucville is outside the aurocal belt but can obsecve as the belt tcavecses fcom south to nocth. The station accesses a Fcanco/Soviet geophysical satellite to tcansmit and ceceive data.

Sucface and cadiosonde ceadings of local weathec indices are cegulacly cecocded and tcansmitted at six-houc intecvals to Melboucne, Austcalia. A coopecative pcoject with the U.S. in­ volves establishment of automatic cemote stations out on the polac ice cap as fac as Dome C to help in analysis of the atmosphecic conditions that pcoduce the katabatic winds.

Biological pcojects at the station have foe many yeacs dealt with the ecology and behavioc of petcels, penguins (both Adelie and Empecoc), and Weddell seals.

6. Equipment

There have been some changes in heavy land tcansport and work equipment in conjunction with ongoing constcuction. The tcacked Weasels dating back to the focties are still highly cegacded foe theic utility and dependability. A small Alouette II helicoptec can opecate fcom two helipads on the island to assist field parties and pecform light tasks in the vicinity. r

At the pcesent time fcesh watec is obtained fcom an evapoca­ toc which uses exhaust heat fcom the fouc-unit diesel-electcic powec plant. (A cevecse osmosis watec system will be built on neacby Lion Island in conjunction with the new aicstcip.) Each of the major buildings in the station complex is heated by a paic of fuel-oil-fired fucnaces, one of which is a space.

The biggest development in pcospect at Dumont d'Urville is constcuction of an all-weathec aicstcip. Ociginally planned foe the Ile de Gouvecneuc west of Petcel Island, the site has been shifted to a string of islands immediately to the east, stcetch­ ing between Cuviec and Buffon islands and incocpocating all or pacts of Lion, Castoe, Pollux, and Zeus islands. This pcoject is to be completed inccementally ovec a peciod of five yeacs. The aicstcip will have a 1,100 meter cunway and appcopriate nav­ igation aids, making it possible to opecate Twin Otter and even­ tually Tcansall C-160 aicccaft on a regulac basis. ------·· .. '" ---···-·-·

8a

:< ""8--·· - -~~------· ,.-.:-. .

Fig 5° Original Casey Station - 9 -

7. A.ems

It was reported that weapons at Dumont d'U.cville were lim­ ited to one small side a.cm. No military activities of any so.ct were in evidence.

8. Communications

Dumont d'Urville has radio and teletype systems appropriate for its mission and is in regular contact with Casey and McMu.cdo stations as well as Ke.cguelen and Nou □ ea.

9. Other Comments

The LADY FRANKLIN, an ice-strengthened ship of Canadian registry, had been chartered for this austral summer to resupply both Dumont D'U.cville and the neighboring Australian stations. The ship made its first visit in the latter half of December and was scheduled to make its second and last trip of the summer sea­ son in early March, when all but the wintering party would be taken off. It is understood that the uncertainty of resupply, brought to a head by the sale of the Danish ship chartered joint­ ly fo.c this purpose by France and Australia fo.c many years, in­ duced the Government of F.can~e to undertake construction of the new airstrip. Hobart, Tasmania, will be the other end of this ai.c link. The new ai.c connection will give the ?.cench Polar Ex­ pedition greater flexibility and independence.

Although construction of the airstrip began this year, there is some doubt as to when it will be completed. It is technically feasible but is a major expense (originally estimated at 5-8 mil­ lion Francs). The proposed airstrip has also generated concern in scientific and wildlife circles, since it will impinge closely on the winter .cookery of Emperor penguins and will displace a fair number of Adelie penguins.

c. Australian Station - Casey (66°17 1 S, ll0°32'E)

1. Genecal

On Monday, January 31, in sparkling antarctic summer weather, the POLAR STAR anchored in Newcomb Bay. The Observer Team went ashore by small boat about mid-mo.cnir.g and -was received by Andrew w. Jackson, leader of the 1983 Australian Antarctic Expedition, and D.R. Cheeseman, Officer-in-Charge of the Casey 1983 winter­ ing party . After an initial discussion of what might be accom­ plished in the time available, the Observer Team was shown around the existing facility. This was followed by lunch as guests of the station. The Observer Team then had a tour of the new base an

Fig 6: Obse~ver Team Chief Chapman at Casey Station ------·--~· -

- 10 -

2. Physical Descciption

Vincennes Bay, a bcoad indentation in the Wilkes Land shoceline is an attcactive setting and pcovides ice-fcee oro­ montocies and islands of use by man and bicd alike. On the eastecn shoce of Vincennes Bay two cocky E- W tcending peninsulas enclose smallec Newcomb Bay. Vestiges of focmer Wilkes Station (U.S.), now abandoned, ace visible on Clack Peninsula to the nocth. To the south, the buildings of Casey Station extend in a line up a gcadual, cocky slope on Bailey Peninsula.

Casey was designed to oveccome the pcincipal disadvantage of Wilkes Station, i.e., drifting snow. Individual ocefabcicated units in the complex ice caised on Steel stcuts appc;ximately two rnetecs high and aligned to pcesent theic naccowec dimensions to ~~e pcevailing wind. The units ace connected by a long, stepped gallecy on their windwacd side, the outec wall of which is convex to better bear the bcunt of the focmidable easteclies. The re­ sult is acchitectucally stciking and has been successful in mini­ mizing snow accumulation on the stcuctuce itself. Wintecing pac­ ties, howevec, have encounteced unanticipated problems fcorn this innovative design. Gale-induce9 vibcation and cesulting noise in the exposed stcuts and guy wices that secuce the long complex have been bothecsorne. (The cecocd gale at Casey is 181 miles oec houc.) Othec design-celated pro~lerns include a loss of heat be;ause of inadequate insulation foe the light stcuctuce and corrosion in­ duced by wine- driven salt spcay. Also, it was cepocted that the protection £corn the elements affocded by the ·covered gallecy con­ necting the buildings had induced a disinclination among wintecing pecsonnel to ventuce outside.

As a cesult of the lessons learned (and the need to ceplace the deteciocating stcucture), an entirely~new base complex is· being constructed some 100 rnetecs to the southwest on an undu­ lating ridge with summits approaching 39 rnetecs above sea level. The new Casey Station is to be built in inccernents over the next five yeacs. All of the units in the new base will be spaced to minimize fice hazard. They will be conected by utilidocs (pac­ allel conduits foe watec, electcicity, phone, etc.) caccied above the sucface foe ease of maintenance. A lacge gceen wacehouse is alceady complete. At 20x30 metecs and appcoxirnately thcee stocies high, it is among the lacgest buildings in Antacctica. The only othec new building, substantially complete though not yet oc­ cupied, is designed as an administcative office/rnete_qcology lab­ ocatory/cadio station. A powec house (being cebuilt aftec a fice in the wintec of 1982) and a tank house foe the stocage of fcesh watec will be finished next. In addition to the buildings alceady mentioned, the complex will eventually include: a wockship and vehicle building, a cecreation/dining centec, a science laboca­ tocy, a docmitocy/rnedical facility, a second powec house, and small outbuildings foe waste tceatment, solid waste incinecation, and stocage of flammable liquids. All buildings will be ociented E-W to pcesent theic lessee dimensions to the eastecly gales and Nill have access en theic nocth oc south sides whece s~ow dcift- - 11 - ing will be minimal. Concrete footings will be poured on ex­ posed bedrock to minimize vibration and the attendant wind­ related noise. Also, being sited on rock eliminates the need for ground insulation to cope with permafrost heaving.

For reasons of operational efficiency, the new base com­ plex will not be occupied until all of its parts are finished and fully functional. The old base may possibly be demolished. Serious thought, however, is also being given to keeping all or part of the old base for contingency purposes.

3. Mission

Casey Station is a research facility which supports gla­ ciology studies in the interior of Antarctica, with secondary efforts in meteorology, geophysics, and upper atmospheric physics. Casey also serves as the Australian communications center within Antarctica, because it is the Australian antarctic station situated closest to the homeland.

4. Personnel

Fifty-two persons, twenty-one of whom were construction workers, were in residence during the 1982-83 summer. The win­ tering party, under the direction of Mr. Cheeseman, will number 30. Of these, one is a doctor~- two-three are meteorologists, and six are glaciologists. The remainder are support personnel, including two-three radio operators, a master electrician, a chef, and eight construction worke~s. In 1983, as in 1982, a Chinese glaciologist will winter at Casey.

5. Scientific Program

For the past few years glaciology has dominated the scien­ tific program at Casey. One of the projects involves detailed studies of nearby Law Dome which serves as a microcosm for un­ derstanding the composition, structure, and dynamics of the continental ice cap. Another project involves long-distance winter surveys of ice movement far inland of Casey. These gla­ ciological survey parties, equipped as self-contained tractor/ sled trains, go out for periods of as long as four months in the dark of the antarctic winter. Foe the sake of safety, the living/scentific, support, and supply sleds are apportioned among the hauling loads of the three tractors which move for­ ward from day to day in a leapfrog fashion, emplacing bamboo trail markers as they go. Scientific observations include radar surveys of the depth of the ice above bedrock. The operation is meticulously planned and carefully executed, because there is no means by which the parties could be rescued in the winter -­ even if they could he found. This year the longest trip will be out along the 2,000 meter contour in the general direction of Micniy. The scientific work at Casey itself has recently been re­ duced to a minimum ( now principally meteorological and geomag- - 12 -

netic recordings and transmissions) in order to concentrate the station's resources on the construction program. In the past, however, scientists at Casey have conducted baseline studies of locally occurring lichens and mosses and of the Adelie penguin populations in the nearby cookeries.

6. Equipment

Most of the heavy equipment on hand is employed in the Antarctic Station Rehabilitation Program now underway at all three Australian antarctic stations. Two Australian Army Lack amphibious vehicles were proving to be exceptionally useful in unloading cargo from the supply ship LADY FRANKLIN which was anchored in the harbour during the period of the Observer Team's visit. (Unfortunately, there was insufficient time to visit the LADY FRANKLIN during the Team's call at Casey.)

Two light helicopters were in use for various tasks, in­ cluding stocking of depots foe some of the glaciology working parties.

A meteorological survey was underway to test the feasibi­ lity of developing a runway on the nearby ice field foe wheeled aircraft. _____.. - 7. A.ems ~- Casey has one .-303 rifle and one .38 revolver. There was no evidence of military activity.

8. Communications/

r Casey serves as -the communications center foe Australian stations in Antarctica, and has radio and telecommunications equipment appropriate to that task. Radio frequencies of 4040 MHZ and 5400 MHZ (largely foe intcastation communication) ace monitored continuously.

9. Other Comments

For at least two successive years glaciologists from the Lanzhou Institute of Glaciology and Cryopedology in the People's Republic of China have wintered over at Casey.

Of note was the rigorous selection process that candidates foe Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) employment must undergo. The program is highly competitive; last year there were 6,000 applicants foe the.125 (winter over) vacancies available. Interestingly, in addition to a complete physical examination and review of professional qualifications, applicants must also undergo psychiatric testing and evaluation. The new base will have a biological sewage treatment facility, and solid wastes will be compacted and carried out. This will then truly be a model for antarctic environmental protection. 12a

·-- ·--- ..

Fig 7. Radio Operator Molodezhnaya - 13 -

D. Soviet Station Mirniv (66°33'S, 93°Dl'E)

1. General

Mirniy ( Mirnyy) Station was visited by the Observer Team on February 2 from 0900 to 1530 hours. Upon arrival the team was greeted by Mr. Valery Serdukov, chief of the 1983 wintering party. After a welcome and general discussion in his office, Mr. Serdukov guided the team through the major buildings and introduced persons in charge of the various station ooerations. The visit was concluded with luncheon and a cordial f~rewell.

2. Physical Description

Mirniy Station occupies a prominent, partly ice-covered promontory (Mabus Point) on the Queen Macy (or Pravda) Coast. To the west it overlooks McDonald Bay and two and one-half miles to the north, Haswell Island. The latter has been de­ signated a site of Special Scientific Interest under the Antarctic Treaty, because it is an "exceptionally prolific and representative breeding locality for all of the species of birds which occur in this part of the Antarctic."

The station's site, while~confined laterally by glaciers, is large enough to accommodate comfortably the existing facili­ ties and snow airfield. To seaward Mirniv is bounded bv a cock/ice cliff of 10 to 30 meters in height. Inland, the grad­ ually rising surface enables access to the interior, but the hazard of crevasses in steeper areas is a limiting factor.

Mirniy was the first permanent Soviet scientific and logis­ tic center in Antarctica. The original structures wece plagued by snow accumulation and were abandoned as better designed and sited new ones were completed. Most operations are now concen­ trated in two clusters of buildings which are raised on steel pilings driven into rock outcrops. Thus constructed, and oriented with, rather than across, the prevailing winter wind, accumulation of snow is minimized. However, vibration in high winds is a problem for the new buildings.

The three buildings in the more northerly group near the end of Mabus ?oint include a large garage and workshop, a power piant that also houses laundry and'bath facilities, and a two­ story science building cum dormitory. An overhead conduit dis­ tributes electricity about 600 meters toward the southwest to the second group of three large buildings. (According to Mr. Secdukcv, the Antarctic Circle bisects the base between these two groups of buildings.)

The second cluster of buildings is set en echelon on a slight eminence of outcropping rock. From NE to SW, the build­ ings in this second group ace: a single-story storehouse/dormi­ tory, a two-story dining/cecceation/administrative centec, and - 14 - a two-stocy docmitocy/meteocology/cadio building. Small outlying buildings house special scientific instcuments, cadac, and othec equipment. Stocage foe fuel is sufficient foe two yeacs and is held initially in thcee lacge and two small tanks on-a small is­ land off-shoce in McDonald Bay fcom which it is pumped to the mainland ovec the ice in win tec.'

3. Mission

Micniy is officially designated as an obsecvatocy, which suggests that it exists mainly foe weathec and othec scientific obsecvations. Its pcincipal function, as desccibed by Secdukov, is to pcovide logistical suppoct to Vostok Station, 1,420 kilo­ metecs inland.

4. Pecsonnel

Fifty to sixty people nocmally wintec at Micniy (this yeac 58 ace expected), and in the summec this numbec is incceased va­ ciably depending upon special pcojects and movements to and fcom Vostok. Of those wintecing at Micniy, some 10-15 ace scientists and the cest ace vacious categocies of suppoct pecsonnel. Most of the staff had accived about a week pcioc to the Obsecvec Team visit. The ceseacch vessel° MIKHAIL SOMOV was expected to being a final inccement befoce wintec began to close in.

5. Scientific Pcogcam

The scientific pcogcam at Micniy emphasizes meteocology, both sucface and uppec aic. Raw data ace tcansmitted cegulacly to Molodezhnaya foe analysis. Continuous obsecvations of iono­ sphecic fluctuations ace made and ·applied to cadio pcopagation studies. Othec obsecvations concecn seismicity, geomagnetism, and contaminants in the atmosphece (aecosols, CO2, and ozone). Biomedical ceseacch concecns the effect of isolation on the health of the staff.

6. Equipment

Tcanspoctation in the vicinity of the station is accom­ plished by a vaciety of tcacked vehicles, many of which wece, at the time of the visit, stcanded on a small island offshoce. This occucced because a supply ship was late and the wintec ice melted befoce the vehicles could be retucned to the mainland. Tcactocs specially built in Khackov pull tcains of sleds foe the pcincipal cesupply of Vostok ( usually twice a yeac), but IL-14 ski-equipped aicccaft ace also used foe this pucpose. A lacge wooden lifeboat is available foe emecgency use offshoce.

Electcic powec is supplied by fouc 350 KW diesel-electcic genecatoc sets which ace also sufficient to heat all buildings undec the wocst of conditions and with only half in use at any given time. /

- 15 -

7. Acms

There ace no ficeacms cepocted at Micniy, and there was no evidence of military activity.

8. Co rnrnunications

The teleco"mmunications equipment at Micniy appears to be consistent with the function of the station.

9. Other Comments

Mc. Secdukov expressed genuine appreciation foe the fruits of international cooperation in Antarctica and showed a knowledge of, and concern foe, nativ e wildlife, specifically the Empecoc and Adelie penguins that nest nearby. He said the cecocd number of Emperor penguins counted was about 4,000 but that in normal years they number 1,500 to 2,000.

Fresh water is now supplied fcom a deep lake which does not completely freeze during the winter. It is delivered by tcactoc­ dcawn tank sledge. Experience ~ as shown, however, that long-term use of this water by the staff-gives cise to diet deficiencies, pacticulacly of minerals. These deficiencies manifest themselves principally in brittle bones. It is hoped to alleviate this pro­ blem by supplyin g t h e staff with bottled mineral water imported fcom Soviet Georgia.

E. Australian Station - Davis (68°35'S, 77°58'E)

1. Genecal

Davis Station was visited by the U.S. Observer Team on Feb­ cuacy 4. After a 43-rnile fligh t across ice, the two helicopters tcanspocting t h e Team from the POLAR STAR landed at Davis at ap­ proximately 0930 hours. Konrad Beinssen, Officer-in-Charge foe 1982 r and Peter A. Briggs, Officer-in-Charge foe 1983, greeted the Team and invited its members in foe coffee and a briefing about the station. The Team toured the new construction, joined the station comolement foe lunch, and aftecwacds visited the ori­ ginal base. An-entertaining h ighlight in the aftecnoon was a visit to the huge · elephant seals that use the neacby beach as their summer home. The Davis visit was concluded by a helicopter touc of the Vestfold Hills conducted by the Australian hosts. The Observer Team departed Davis at 1430 hours.

2. Physical Description

The Vestfold Hills ace a naturally occurring ice-free acea, ceportedly covering 52,000 hectares, which makes this acea one of the largest oases in the Antarctic. They ace bounded on the South by the abcu?t edge of the polar ice cap. A pact of the Vestfold Hills consist cf thcee irregular E-W trending peninsu las sepac- 15a

Fig 8 New Construction Davis Station - 16 - ated by fjocds. The hills ace cugged, cocky, and of a generally ceddish-bcown coloc crossed iccegulacly by dack dolocite dykes. The axes of the fjocds ace continued to the east by glacially scoured valleys occupied by a secies of landlocked lakes of gceat interest foe theic chemistcy and watecbocne life. To the west and north are the plankton-rich watecs of Pcydz Bay.

Davis Station is situated adjacent to a shallow, semi­ cicculac beach neac the westecn end of Bcoad Peninsula. The original buildings, erected in 1957, occupy a low bench roughly pacallel to the shoce, while a new station complex is laid out on slightly highec ground to the south.

The new base at Davis is similar in concept and design to that at Casey, and in fact, is part of a major Australian ef­ fect to provide a moce permanent and wockable infrastcuctuce foe national ceseacch activities in the Antarctic. Most of the main buildings at Davis will be duplicates of theic functional cousins at Casey and Mawson. All structures ace being built directly on bedrock, using solid conccete foundations and pce­ fabcicated, insulated panels bolted to steel fcames. The bolts ace of non-heat-conducting plastic to preclude condensation on theic inside ends. The buildings are situated fac enough apact to minimize fice hazacd and ace connected by service lines (elec­ tricity, telephones, hot watec conduits, etc.) gathered in ele­ vated conduits oc utilidocs. All buildings ace aligned with the prevailing winds (at Davis, 41° east of nocth) in ocdec to mini­ mize blockage of access by drifting snow. Construction of the new base began in 1979 and is expected to be finished in about 1990. At the present time only five of the eventual thirteen new buildings ace opecational: a pump house, the first of two powec houses, a workshop, a dining/cecceation centec, and a sec­ vices center. A foundation foe the lacge storehouse, identical to that at Casey, had just been pouced, and the external stcuc­ tuce was to be erected befoce the onset of winter. As the con­ stcuction program pcogresses and the new stcuctuces ace occupied, more emphasis will again be placed on the scientific research program.

3. Mission

At the pcesent time, Davis Station secves primarily as a base foe research in the biologically cich waters of Pcydz Bay and the lakes in the Vestfold Hills. If tentative olans to build an airstrip capable of haridling Boeing·727 ai~ccaft mate­ rialize, Davis might well evolve into the centec for Australian operations in Antarctica.

4. Personnel

During the summer of 1982-83 Davis Station housed 51 per­ sons. Of this numbec, eight wece scientists and the majority of the remaindec, construction wockecs. The 1983 wintering pacty will total 28 pecsons, only seven of whom will be connec- - 17 -

ted with base construction (with, of course, only indoor finish­ ing contemplated for the April to October period).

In recent years People's Republic of China marine biolo­ gists oc limnologists have wintered at Davis. During the preced­ ing wintec a Soviet scientist from an institute in Murmansk was in residence conducting a radar study of the auroral cusp. Some years previously, he studied the same phenomenon from Mawson Station but found Davis to be more advantageously situated for this work.

5. Scientific Program

As previously mentioned, Davis offers unique opportunities for marine biological studies. Year-round work on phytoplankton productivity and taxonomy, as well as benthic animal studies, ace undertaken clos~ offshore. Another area of interest is the chemistry and biology of the numerous inland lakes. Seals have been systematically tagged for several years. Penguin diet and habitat studies are underway, and an analysis of the diet of seals will be undertaken. Emetic techniques are being developed so that diets may be studied without the necessity of destroying the animals.

Meteorological observations at Davis ace fairly routine and involve surface readings every three hours and daily radiosonde recordings. Davis receives w~athec and ice information from both NOAA and Soviet satellites, but finds imagery from the latter sharper and more informative.

Upper atmospheric p~ysics observations are made continuous­ ly at pavis and applied to studies of radio propagation in high latitudes.

During the 1982-83 summer season a geologist has been in residence working on the general surface geology of the Vestfold Rills.

6. Equipment

The items of major equipment which distinguish Davis from most other stations in Antarctica ace related to the emphasis on studies of marine biology. Most notable of. these is the pre­ sence of three 5-meter, fiberglass, outboard-powered cruisers and assorted smaller craft. There is also an impressive collec­ tion of construction equipment (including a rock crusher yet to be installed) which will all be returned to Australia once the new base is completed.

Power for the new base will be supplied by two 400 KW ca­ pacity power houses, each with four generator sets and associ­ ated heat recirculating devices. Either power house can supply the needs of the station by itself, so the second provides a generous measuce of safety. - - - --·- · ·· --- -

- 18 -

The two small helicoptecs on the base ace normally cemoved ducing the wintec season.

7. Acms

Thece is one .303 cifle on the base. Thece was no evidence of militacy activity.

8. Communications

Davis Station has standacd telecommunications equipment for the cegion. The station also pcovides cadio/telephone secvice to Austcalia.

9. Othec Comments

A conscientious and cesoucceful effect to minimize the sta­ tion's enviconmental impact is cleacly evident at Davis. Sewage is bucned in oil-ficed pcocessocs, and tcash is not allowed to accumulate at the field camps. The new base will have an inci­ necatoc capable of bucning off all but the most intcactible ce­ fuse.

Watec, at pcesent obtained fcom melted snow, will be ob­ tained beginning with the wintec of 1983 from an actificial lake, the site of which is being pcepaced nearby. {The many natucal lakes in the Vestfold Hills ace almost all highly saline.) This will pcovide potable watec, as well as an ample watec supply foe fice fighting.

Exoeciments in hydcoponic facming are showing good cesults and may be developed in the futuce as a soucce of fcesh vegeta­ bles.

F. Austcalian Station - Mawson (67°36 1 S, 62°52 1 E)

1. Genecal

The POLAR STAR lay off Mawson Station on Febcuacy 6 but could not launch helicopters due to a stcong southeastecly wind. By the mocning of Febcuacy 7 the wind had abated sufficiently to allow the Obsecvec Team to lift off fcom the ship. The Team landed at Mawson Station at appcoximately 0900 local time. Mr. Geoffcey R. Copson, Officec-in-Chacge of the 1982 wintecing party, met the helicoptec and invited the Obsecvec Team to his office for a genecal overview of the scientific and constcuction pco­ grams. Aftec the discussion and coffee, Mc. Copson escocted the team acound the base. He also intcoduced the principal scien­ tists and focemen, who discussed theic ongoing wock. Following the touc and an infocmal gathecing in the base recceation hall, the team took its leave at 1300 houcs. - 19 -

2. Physical Description

Mawson Station, established in 1954, is the oldest of the Austcalian antarctic outposts. The site was selected foe its protected deepwater harbor (Eccseshoe Bay) which is formed by two north-trending peninsulas and Entrance Island. The harbor is adequate in size (roughly 400xl000 meters) and deep enough for the majority of vessels that call. Because the approach through the islands and shoals of Holme Bay is not well charted, the passage is difficult, and only masters familiar with the area attempt entrance. ·

The current station is a cluster of small, largely prefab­ ricated buildings in a slight draw at the head of the bay. They are, in the main, irregularly sited on an outcropping of rock, reflecting the incremental growth of the base during its first twenty-four years of existence.

Beginning in 1978, a plan to replace the old base with a new, carefully designed complex was initiated. Basically, the new base follows the same design precepts as those adopted for new construction at Casey and Davis, i.e., separation of build­ ings to minimize damage by fire, alignment of individual build­ ings with the prevailing winds-•( in this case SE) . to minimize the drifting of snow, duplication of power plants for the sake of safety, solid foundations laid on bedrq~k, ·and gathering of water, heat, power, telephone, and sewage lines in raised tray conduits (utilidors) within the area.

The new complex is laid out along the eastern shore of Horseshoe Bay immediat~ly adjacent to th~ main cluster of the old base. En echelon along the shore will be the principal service buildings, to include the garage, large storage shed, duplicate power plants, and various othec storage buildings in­ cluding fuel tanks. In this line only Power Plant No. 1 has been built, but there is also an old hangar at the north end of the line. In a parallel line 100 meters upslope, most of the living, recreation, and scientific buildings will be built. Of these, the well appointed sleeping quarters/medical center is the princpal one now standing, although it is not yet fin­ ished inside. Two stories high and painted a vivid red, it is at present the station's pcincipal landmark. South and upslop~ ace a new upper atmospheri~ physics building, a tank house for the station's water supply, and a cosmic ray laboratory.

Not far south from the peripheral structures, the conti­ nental ice cap begins its gentle rise to the interior. To the east and west of the base acea, glaciers born in the ice cap terminate in high ~liffs at the water's edge, providing a strik­ ing setting for the station.

When the new base is completed (circa 1988), probably all but three of the old buildings will be cemolishea. The - 20 -

three to be retained ace eithec historical landmarks or po­ tentially useful as emergency shelters.

- - 3. Mission

Mawson is essentially a scientific station with emphasis on upper atmospheric physics, though work in geophysics, cosmic · rays, and glaciology is also significant. Mawson serves as the collecting point for meteorological data from most of the other meteorological stations (excluding Soviet) in East Antarctica. These data ace relayed through Casey Station to Melbourne and from there to the world meteorological network.

4. Personnel

The new complex at Mawson is designed to accoITu~odate 56 persons. In recent years the wintering party has numbered about 30 (33 in 1983). At the time of the Team's visit, 52 persons were present, most of the excess being construction workers thece for the summer only. There are usually 12-15 scientists at Maw­ son--more in the summer--and no doubt this number will be aug­ mented once the building progcam is completed.

5~ Scientific Program·

Primary emphasis among Mawson's scientific efforts~ giv­ en to upper atmospheric physics. A state-of-the-art interfer­ ometer measures auroral and airglow emission line widths and displacements to obtain the temperature, wind velocity, and _ electric field of the uppe.c atmosphe·re {at 200-300 km). ,, ~pho­ tometer records airglow and auroral fluctuations, and an all-sky camera is used as a visual record ofr aucoral activity. Both the Australian Government's Antarctic Division and Adelaide Univer­ sity's Mawson Institute have personnel at Mawson Station who participate in these studies. An extension of the aeronomy building to include a second floor is planned so as to raise the height at which aurocal observations are made, thus reducing light contamination fcom the rest of the base.

In a separate building, the ionosphere is studied by means of an ionosonde and also by ciomete.cs tuned to various wave­ lengths.

The cosmic ray laboratory occupies the most remote loca­ tion on the base. It houses seven meson telescopes, three of which are sunk in a 12-meter-deep pit blasted from solid rock. This helps to screen out all but high energy particles. In an adjoining rock chambec the station's seismographs ace installed.

Components of the earth's magnetic field ace also continu­ ously recorded in suppoct of a global study of geomagnetic phe­ nomena. - 21 -

Routine meteocological data are recorded at Mawson and dispatched to the world meteorological network as noted above.

Biological studies have been curtailed since 1972, al­ though some penguin censusing continues. The rookecies along the Mawson Coast are accessible to the station over the ice in wintec.

6. Equipment

The equipment observed at Mawson conforms to that reported undec recommendations of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Par­ ties. Noteworthy, however, are those items which make Mawson somewhat unique,· e.~., the meson telescopes for the study of cosmic rays.

Two teams of sled dogs (22 in all) are retained for trans­ poctation over the ice cap in summec and over the sea ice in wintec. The dogs have earned a respected niche in the station's opecations, .for they don't consume lacge quantities of fuel like snowmobiles, and they are inhecently dependable.

There is, of course, co.ns1derable equipment which is-present solely for constcuction of the new base. This equipment will.be ce;novea when the building program is completed. ---

7. Arms

There are one .303 rifle and one .38 revolver on the base. No military activity was in evidence.

8. Com..~unications

Because of its function as a weather communications center, Mawson has large antenna arrays. Airccaft in the acea may com­ municate with Mawson on 121.5 MHZ.

9. Othec Comments

The staff at Mawson took six seals ducing 1982 to supple­ ment the pemmican diet of the 22 sled dogs. This small number does not seem likely to endanger_~ local seal population.

·'!o;,,.., Water is provided from a small lake near the base, but re­ mains limited in quantity, requiring observance. of consecvation measures. When the new base is complete, Mawson Station will have a thoroughly adequate waste disposal capability. - 22 -

G. Soviet Station Molodezhnaya (67°40'S, 45°Sl'E)

1. Geneeal

Molodezh~~ja Station was visited on Febeuaey 9. The Ob­ servee Team arrived by helicoptee at about 0830 and was met by De o Rueik Maksirnovich Galkin, Chief of the 27th Soviet Antarctic Expedition Wintering Paety. De. Galkin invited the Team to have coffee in his quaetees ar.d plan the visit. He then conducted a lengthy toue of the rnajoe facilities of the station, interrupted only by luncheon. Aftee a small social gathering at the close of the tour, the Team departed for the ship at 1640.

2. Phvsical Description

Molodezhnaya Station is situated on the ireegulac, rocky coast of Enderby Land between Spooner and Fceeth Bays of Ala­ sheyev Bight. Soviet ships are usually able to anchor close inshore late in the season by following a lead from Tange Pro­ montory, a f~w kilometers to the northeast.

The site is characterized by low NW - SE trending ridges of outcropping granite at right angles to the general orientation of the coast. The principal ~oncentration of buildings follows one such ridge in two rows of one-story structures. The build­ ings are set off the cock on steel pipe pilings and angled to align them to the prevailing southeasterly wintee gales. At the time of the Obs~rver Team's visit, the first two-story building was being completed to serve as a docmitocy/recceation center.

On a parallel ridge to the NE, the power plant and some subsidiary structures are located. On a highee ridge to the SW there is a eocket launching complex, rocket tracking radar, and satellite tracking and receiving stations. Further to the SW on a low promontory is a cluster of fuel storage tanks.

Molodeztnaya Station is equipped with three airfields. The first, a snow airfield located in the immediate vicinity of the base, is used for ski-equipped IL-14 aircraft. The second, also a snow airfield, is located 3-5 kilometers to the SE. This aicsteip is used in mid- summee when the neaeest field becomes mushy. The thied airfield is a new snow/ice airstrip situated about 15 kilometees due east of the station (about 25 kilometers by eoad).

3. Mission

Molodezhnaya is the laegest Soviet station in Antarctica and functions as the command centee foe Soviet activities on the continent. It is also the Soviet antaectic logistics centee, being the focus of intracontinental movement by aie and sea and the gateway foe air, sea, and telecommunications teaffic with the Soviet Union. In addition to its conteol/logistics functions, 22a

·-....__ ' ' \

Fig Molodezhnaya Chief, Winter~ng-Over 27th Soviet Antarctic Expedition Galkin with Observer Team Members Gaiduk (Center) and Chapman - 23 - the station also has an important research function.

4. Pecsonnel

During 1983, 147 persons, twenty of whom will be engaged in construction work, ~ill winter at Molodezhnaya. About forty will be engaged in data gathering or scientific research. In summer the complement at Molodezhnaya may swell to as many as 300, owing to overlap of expeditions and staging of personnel to or from other Soviet Stations. The more normal summer com­ plement foe Molodezhnaya itself is about 200.

5. Scientific Program

At Molodezhnaya geophysics appears to receive greatest em­ phasis. Short peciod fluctuations in the earth 1 s magnetic field are recorded and analyzed in a joint program with Japanese sci­ entists from the National Institute of Polar Research in Tokyo. Ionospheric experiments, both vectical and oblique, ace also conducted. Ionospheric opacity to oblique transmissions is studied in coordination with remote sending and receiving sta­ tions in Moscow, Bellingshausen Station, and Leningcadskaya Station. The results ace a~plied not only to maximize the ef­ fectiveness of radio transmissions, but also to increase sci­ entific knowledge of the ionosphere. Further, ciometecs gather data applicable to analysis of the upper atmosphere, and various instruments cecocd auroral p h enomena. Atmospheric pollutants are analyzed both at Molodezhnaya itself and at remote stations.

The second area of scientific concentcation is meteorology. In addition to normal surface and radiosonde weather observa­ tions, sounding rockets ace used to sample temperature, pcessuce, and wind velocity at altitudes of 80-100 kilometers. The results ace fed into a large computer at the station, which also receives data from other antarctic stations as well as data from ships in the southern seas. Computer-driven plotters automatically record weathe~ data on preprinted charts. On the basis of these plots, local meteorologists ace able to map the weather (fronts, aicmasses, etc. ) and issue forecasts to aircraft, ships, and othec stations in the vicinity. Molodezhnaya also receives NOAA and Soviet satellite imagery which gceatly assists in weather and ice focecasts.

The medical team, which is com9osed of a sucgeon, medical pcactitioner, and a medical research assistant, conducts immuno­ logical studies as well as investigations of physiological and psychological adaptation to the polar environment. Electcocar­ diogcams (EKGs) under applied stress and encephalogcams ace administered monthly to 60 volunteers. This effoct is part of an extended investigation which has been going on foe a period of five years. - 24 -

6. Equipment

The vacious items of construction and transpoct equipment observed at Molodezhnaya appeac to conform with recent infor­ mation pcovided undec recommendations of the Antacctic Treaty Consultative Meetings.

IL-14 ski- equipped aicccaft provide intcacontinental con­ nections to other Soviet Stations, but helicopters are evidently only carried aboacd the ships which supply the Soviet stations.

7. Arms

No arms ace kept at Molodezhnaya, and thece was no sign of militacy activity.

8. Communications

Molodezhnaya station is a major telecommunications center~ There is an impcessive vaciety of radio, cadac, and satellite ceceiving antennas. The r a dio installation at Molodezhnaya is strong enough in size and sophistication to permit weekly tele­ phone convecsations between staff at Molodezhnaya and other Soviet antarctic stations,· as well as with theic families in the Soviet Union.

9o Other Comments

Water is pumped from a neacby lake and delivered by truck to the various buildings thcoughout the base complex. A line is being installed to pipe water to the new two-story dormitory and recreation centec. Sewage is collected from the buildings by tank truck and dumped into the sea.

During the 1982-83 summec the 28th Soviet Antarctic Expedi­ tion supported three summec field camps: Druzhnaya I and Druzhnaya II on the Weddell Sea coast and Soyuz, a new camp at Beaver Lake neac the Amery Ice Shelf. The latter had a staff of twenty-six.

Another major endeavor of the 28th Soviet Antacctic Expe­ dition involved hydrogcaphic surveys being conducted by the re­ search vessels Admiral Vladimirsky and Feddey Bellingshausen.

The new airstrip at Molodezhnaya (and its neac twin at Novola­ zarevskaya) is a new type of airfield for Antarctica. The airstrip consists of compacted snow/ice and is designed to accommodate large intercontinental wheeled aircraft thcough much of the early and late summer period. The aicstrip is located about 15 kilo­ meters east of the main station on an ice plateau some 250 meters in elevation. ------~- -

- 25 -

H. Japanese Station - Showa (69°00'S, 39°35'E)

1. General

Showa------, ( S~owa) Station personnel welcomed the·- Obsecver Team on February 10, just two days aftec the depactuce of the supply/ ceseacch vessel Fuji foe its ceturn voyage to Japan. The Ob­ secver Team reached the station at approximately 0900 after a flight of about 70 kilometers across what appeared to be perma­ nent ice. The staff of the station, led by Dr. Shinji Mae, Chief of the 1983 wintering party, met the incoming helicopters at the helipad and escorted the Team to the community building for cof­ fee and a discussion of the objectives of the visit. Dr. Mae then led the Tean on a tour of the station complex, including outlying buildings. The visit ended with a memorable Japanese luncheon, and the Team departed at about 1400 hours.

2. Physical Description

Lutzow-Holm Bay is a major feature along the coast of East Antarctica, but nautical charts show few soundings, indicating prevalence of fast ice in the summer. As a cesult, the Bay is difficult to penetcate except by powerful, ice- stcengthened ships.

Off the eastern shore of the Bay is a group of low, ice­ free islands, on the larger of which in 1957 the Japanese es­ tablished their ficst year- round station. The site is relatively free of katabatic winds, the bane 0£ life in many parts of Ant­ arctica, and penguins nest in some of the nearby islands.

Showa Station is sited on a tercace (15 meters above sea level) at the northern end of East Ongul Island. Lakes occuc naturally in the heavily glaciated terrain of this roughly 1.5 kilometer square island, and one of these has been enlarged by an earthen dam to supply water during the summer months. Ski-equipped light planes land on the ice-covered bay adjacent to the station, but the ice sucface tends to get mushy in the late summec.

Showa Station consists of about 23 stcuctuces in an area of about 3,500 square meters. Most are pcefabricated, one-stocy buildings raised on steel pilings which are ficmly anchored in bedrock. The main complex of the base consists of five N- S oriented structures connected by a covered passageway which is also used for stor age. Several of these buildings are dormi- tories but they also include the medical facility, dining hall, the club, the Japanese bath, food storage areas, and the original power plant. Five detached buildings extending to the southeast include the exterior shell of a new power plant, an environmental science building, a warehouse, an upper atmospheric physics labora- -­ _tory, and a computer center, in that order. Another row of three unconnected buildings trending generally south contains the meteor­ ology laboratory, the physical geography unit, and the geophysical 25a

Fig 10: Showa Station Aerial View - 26 - labocatocy. Among miscellaneous buildings scattered furthec afield is a sounding cocket complex.

The surface tcack to Mizuho Station begins at the edge of the continental ice cap, about 4 kilometecs to the south. Mizuho, a small under-ice station in an extcemely cold environment, is located on the polac ice cap 270 kilometecs to the southeast of Showa (70°4l'S, 44°10'E) and at an elevation of 2,230 metecs.

3. Mission

Showa Station, a labocatocy of the Japanese National Insti­ tute of Polac Reseacch, is devoted to the suppoct of scientific investigations which are most advantageously conducted in highec latitudes. It also secves as a suppoct base foe the meteocologi­ cal and glaciological wock caccied on at Mizuho Station.

4. Pecsonnel

The 1983 wintecing pacty at Showa and Mizuho is lea~ by De. Shinji Mae, a glaciologist who has spent two pcevious wintecs in Antacctica. The wintecing team totals 35 men, six of whom ace u s ually at-Mizuho Station. Included in that total ace fouc uppec atmosphecic physicists, five· .. meteocologists, one geophysicist, fouc glaciologists, two macine biologis t s, one botanist, one m~r::-.ine cher:-iist, and one medical officec. The surrunec pacty each -yeac includes about ten additional people, of whom eight ace sci- entists and two ace constcuction wockecs.

5. Scientific Pcoccam

Scientific reseacch at Showa is centeced mainly upon uppec atmosphecic physics. Sophisticated equipment is used to recocd and analyze aucocas, aicglow, and vacious aspects of the ionos­ phere. Of pacticulac note is the Middle Atmosphece Pcoject (MAP) to analyze aecosols and ozone by such techniques as laser cadac and absocption spectcoscopy. This is the second yeac in the fouc­ yeac pcogcam.

Anothec scientific discipline emphasized at Showa is ma­ cine biology. Scientists at the station ace contributing to the Intecnational Sout_hecn Ocean study called BIOMASS, which is concerned principally with natucal pcoduction of krill. Showa­ based biologists ace also studying focms of algae that live on the bottom of pack ice, various forms of plankton, life of the ocean flooc, and populations of Adelie penguins and Weddell seals. During the 1982-83 summec a team of thcee macine chemists fcom the Univecsity of Alaska was based at Showa sampling the local seawatec foe CO2,

Glaciology is the thicd acea of scientific emphasis in the Japanese antacctic pcogcam. Glaciological studies ace centeced 26a

.-.· / ·/};J ·~~;,:.~~tff l;ni••;;;tt~? -_ P:\-:..·:.::\ :_:--·: _.---- , .- ,._: . .•.. , :·.· '.\·-- .- ..

Fig 1 1 Showa Station New Labora ..I., o ry Bui-- ct·ing

-··... ;:· - 27 -

at Mizuho and involve analysis of ice flow velocity and snow accumulation. Beginning in October, a team will caccy out a tcactoc train tcavecse fcom Mizuho along the 2,000 meter contour to the Sor Rondane Mount ains. During their 1,000 kilometer tca­ vecse, the glaciologists will be sampling ficn snow and will echo sound the ice beneath t h em foe depth and other data. At Mizuho itself they expect to boce through the ice to a depth of 500 meters using a thermal coring device.

Surface meteorological observations at Showa ace standard for the continent but ace caccied out by means of a new Automa- . ted Meteorological Observation System. Showa personnel take aecological soundings twice a day. Solar radiation, atmospheric ozone, and atmospheric CO2 ace routinely recorded. At Mizuho meteorological investigation centers on katabatic winds.

Showa personnel cecocd earth tremors, both short and long period , with electromagnetic seismographs. Gravity and tilt measurements ace also continuously cecocded.

A topographic survey of ice-free areas in the vicinity of Showa is conducted in the s~mmec months, and when ice conditions permit, the sea app_coaches to .. the station ace charted.

6. Equipment

Equipment available at Showa and Mizuho is consonant with the activities already described. Somewhat out of the ordinary antacctic· pattecn is ·1eac-cound availability of two small ski­ equipped aicccaft, a Cessna 185 and Pilatus Portee, mainly to ;transport people and light loads between the two stations and to field parties. In addition to the ovecsnow vehicles used on the long ice cap tcavecses, there is an accay of snowmobiles. An aic cushion vehicle is reported in the official annual exchange of information but was not seen during the visit.

7. Acms

The Obsecvec Team was informed that while there was an old rifle of uncertain vintage at the station, there wece no bullets foe it. In fact, there was no sign whatever of military activi­ ty.

8. Communications

The telecommunications equipment at Showa and Mizuho is commensurate with the needs of the stations.

9. Other Comments

Water foe Showa is p umped from a lake on East Ongul Island in the summec. During the cest of the yeac heat fcom the power plant is used to melt ice carved from nearby icebergs immobilized - 28 - by grounding.

It was apparent that Showa personnel wece making a consid­ erable effect to minimize theic impact upon the environment. They wece taking extcaocdinacy measures to ensuce that wastes wece disposed of pcopecly. What is flammable is bucned, and non-biodegradable refuse,~·~-, plastics, ace compacted and cetcogcaded to Japan. Chemical wastes ace similarly removed from the Treaty area.

The Japaneie effort in Antarctica is handicapped by diffi­ cult ship access through the perennial ice of Lutzow-Holm Bay. Next year the Japanese icebreaker/supply ship Fuji will be re­ placed by the Shicase, a recently-launched 18,900 ton vessel with a total of 30,000 shaft hocsepowec.

I. Soviet Station - Novolazacevskava (70°46'S, 11°5l'E)

1. General

The Obsecvec Team reached Novolazacevskaya Station on Feb­ ruary 13 at about 0830 local time aftec a 95 kilometer flight across the coastal ice shelf. Gcegocy Pe~covich Khokhlov, leadec of the 1982 wintering pactJ, ~ceeted the Team and conducted a touc of the station. This included a visit to the Gecman Demo­ cratic Republic (GDR) complex adjacent -to the Soviet station, where Dr. Wieland BUcgec, leadec of the 1982 wint~cing party, briefed the Team on the GDR scientific pcogcam. After pleasant final discussions with both the Soviets and the Gecmans, the Obsecvec Team took its leave at lf30 houcs.

r 2. Physical Description

The Schumacher Hills, site of Novolazacevskaya Station, consist of a monoclinal outcropping of crystalline cock approx­ imately 17 kilometers long by one oc two kilometers wide. The E-W trending hills cise ovec 100 meters above sea level and present a rugged cliff face nocthwacd to the coastal ice shelf. At the foot of this long cliff ace several lakes in the ice which cepoctedly experience tidal fluctuations and occasionally develop pressure ridges. The surface of the Schumacher Hills is undulating and hacbocs numerous fresh water lakes in . the hollows·. To the south, the continental ice cap begins with a smooth, steep rise toward the foot of the Wohlthat Mountains about 100 kilometers distant. This spectacular alpine cange includes several peaks rising to almost 3,000 meters.

In 1961 the Soviet Union sited Novolazacevskaya Station neac the eastern end of the Schumacher Hills to take advantage of the fresh water lake thece and the gentle camps leading onto the surrounding glacial ice. The original group of about fif­ teen buildings was situated in a glen and suffered fcom flooding at the height of the summec. Beginning fouc years ago, a new 27a

Fig 12: Novolazarevskaya Aerial View

-~ '"--'"" 28a

-- ---·-~ · . .. .. _ . ...

Fig 13: DDR Research Center at Novo_azarevskaya - 29 - station was built on higher ground 200 meters to the west.

The new station consists mainly of five lacge one-story multipurpose buildings set on steel pilings to raise them a meter or more above the cock surface. The buildinas ace ar­ ranged in a westward- pointing 1•vn. At the apex is-the power house/garage/bath. In a cow to the southeast ace a warehouse (containing mechanical supplies and space pacts at one end and food supplies at the othec) and a large geophysics/dormitory building. Northeast of the powerhouse is the dining/recreation cehtec, and much further along the same line, the abode of the ranking Soviets and the radio, meteorological, and medical fa­ cilities. There ace smaller, ancillary buildings which house the radiosonde receiver, the balloon inflation and launchina equipment, the fresh water pump, and two new magnetometers.~

One hundred and fifty meters southeast of the original Soviet station and at the end of an unimproved track is the small research complex built and operated by the German Demo­ cratic Republic. Established in 1972, it consists of a well appointed assemblage of prefabricated units resting on sturdy steel runners. These have been arranged in an irregular cross with three of the wings occupied by a compact laboratory, a _ sleeping room, and a kitchen·:,. respectively. The eI)Jcyway- in the fourth wing is flanked by another small sleeping room and a dining area. Just a step or two from the entry is the electric power p l ant, a first aid room, and a greenhouse. In-another detached unit nearby is a chemical laboratory, and at a distance of about 200 meters to the south is a new p r oton magnetometer in its own shelter.

3. :-!ission

Novolazacevskaya Station serves mainly as a scientific out­ post foe the collection of data to support on-going cesear c~ in meteorology, seismology, and geomagnetism. The GDR group, which is logistically dependent upon Novolazacevskaya, is engaged in similar, but independent, scientific research.

4. Personnel

At the time of the Observer Team 1 s visit there were 44 per­ sons at Novolazacevskaya Station, including six at the shelf- edge poet 95 km to the north and three at the airport nearby on the ice cap. The normal winter complement of the station is 37. There were also eight (normally 6) persons at the GDR installa­ tion nearby. The scientific personnel in the Soviet group num­ bered about seven and in the German group about five.

5. Scientific Progr am

The Soviet scientific program includes standard cdllection of surface and upper atmosphere data foe weather forecasting puc- - 30 - poses. These data are transmitted, after transferral to punched tape, to Molodezhnaya Station. Solar radiation in several aspects and cloud height ace also regularly recorded.

A carefully maintained facility for the measurement of seis­ mic waves is a significant pact of the Novolazacevskaya scienti­ fic program. Two arrays of three seismographs are installed on bedrock in a cool cellar and measure both long and short-period seismic waves in three components. Analysis of the data is car­ ried out in the Soviet Uniori.

The earth's magnetic field in both relative and absolute aspects will also be the subject of intense study once installa­ tion of magnetometers in two new remote shelters is complete.

The Soviet scientific program includes a study of the ef­ fects of static electricity on man and a study of the physical properties of sea ice.

The German Democratic Republic scientific program empha­ sizes upper atmospheric physics, geophysics, glaciology, and the measurement of trace isotopes in antarctic air and water. The German group receives satellite imagery from U.S. NOAA and Soviet satellites foe application to weather and ice analysis and fore­ casting.

6. Equipment

The equipment observed appears to be consistent with the range of scientific and support activities, both Soviet and GDR, being carried out at Novolazarevskaya Station.

Of special note, and evidently unique for Antarctica, are three wind-driven electric generators which were installed at the Soviet station in 1982. These generators are driven by two­ bladed pcopellocs with a total span of four meters. Each gener­ ates 3.5 KW at a constant speed of 109 revolutions per minute. Automatic controls keep the blades aligned to the wind and adjust propeller pitch to produce a constant output despite variations in wind velocity. The power thus generated is used to heat the buildings and reportedly was adequate to the task in even the coldest months of 1982.

7. Arms

No arms were reported at Novolazarevskaya Station; no mili­ tary activity was evident.

8. Comrnunications

Radio and telecommunications equipment at Novolazrevskaya is suited to the communications needs of the two scientific groups. - 31 -

9. Other Comments

Water- is available year round from a deep lake near the Soviet Station. The GDR group obtains water4n.the summer from a shallower lake a short distance upslope from i~s installation but depends on the Soviet water system in winter~

Up on the continental ice cap at a distance of 10 kilo­ meters (12 by road) and due south of the station is a snow/ice airstrip capable of handling wheeled aircraft such as the Soviet IL-18 intercontinental passenger plane. It serves as a useful alternate landing field in case the similar airstrip near Molodezhnaya cannot receive aircraft. It is also a traffic generating point in its own right.

J. Republic of South Africa Station - SANAE III (70°18'S, 02°24 1 W)

1. General

The helicopters carrying the Observer Team landed at SANAE III Station on February 15 at approximately 0840. Though advance notification _to · the South Africans had been attempted without success·, the SANAE station· c"bmplement greeted the Team warmly. The South African supply ship, SA AGULEAS, had left only two days previo_ _µsly; so station personnel we ce still settling into their winte~ routines. Arnold Vermooten, M.D., 1983 wintering leader, conducted the Team on an informative tour of the relatively new facility~/ This included a visit to several of the outlying in­ strument shelters. After touring nearby SANAE II, now maintained as an - emergency refuge, the Team departed at about 1340.

2. Physical Description

The location of SANAE III is related to the fact that South Africa began its serious work in Antarctica in 1960 by taking over NORVEGIA, an old Norwegian research station in the vicinity. Two years later, the Republic of South Africa built SANAE (an acronym for South African National Antarctic Expedition). SANAE II followed in 1971. The frequent rebuilding is related to the fact that snow accumulates at the rate of about one meter a year in this region. Either structures must somehow be raised--which is dlfficult--or new facilities must replace the old when the increasing ice pressure makes a building uninhabitable.

By 1977 it was evident that SANAE II had deteriorated marked­ ly, prompting a new assessment of construction possibilities adapted to the difficult environment. As a result, SANAE III in­ corporates an ingenious design concept somewhat a~in to the U.K.'s Halley Station. It was completed during the period 1979-81.

Like its predecessors, SANAE III is sited on the Fimbul Ice Shelf of Princess Martha Coast. The surface at this location is - 31a -

-

Fig 14: SA NAE III Above-Ground Meteorological Station - 32 - about 53 metecs above sea level. The ice shelf is 250 metecs thick· and floats in watec. The new station is appcoximately 20 kilometecs fcom the edge of the shelf and is being caccied seawacd at the cate of 235 metecs pee yeac. However, the longe­ vity of the new base (estimated at 15 yeacs) will be detecmined by the ability of the station 1 s covecing shell to withstand in­ cceasing ice pcessuce as it sinks pcogcessively deepec celative to the sucface. In fifteen yeacs the top of the complex may thus be bucied to a depth of 18 metecs .

. In essence, the principle adopted foe SANAE III was to build an intecconnected system of enclosed steel tubes ovec which snow natucally accumulates and within which insulated cectangulac units provide comfortable wocking and living spaces. The main function of the steel shell (constcucted of a cocru­ gated 5 oc 7 mm thick steel called Acmco) is to withstand and accommodate pcessuce exected by the succounding ice. The large tubes, embodying pcessuce test cesults, ace oval (appcoximately 7 metecs high and 8 metecs wide). The buildings inside the tubes cest on steel gicdecs fitted with sccew jacks to allow adjustment of the metal gcid flooring to diffecential settling. The intec­ nal buildings ace constcucted fcom inteclocking, insulated, self­ suppocting panels designed to minimize heat loss to the buffec space within the tube~. Sue~ h~at loss, by melting contiguous ice and snow, could in -tucn cause undesicable settling. One ad­ vantage cited foe the tube .concept is that the interioc stcuctuces can be extcacted a nd ceused befoce tte station is abandoned.

The layout of SANAE III pcogcessed somewhat beyond the es­ sentially lineac accangement· of the oldec Halley Station. By providing a long connecting passageway from the administcative unit at one end to the science laboratory at the othec, personnel need not traverse the sleeping quactecs, toilets, cecceational/ dining and bulk stocage aceas which are situated in sepacate tubes connected in series but lying pacallel to it. On the othec side, two latecal passages connect to the bulk fuel stocage and powec plant/wockshop units, the lattec accessible by a snow camp to the sucface. Aic shafts, some of which pcovide a means of personnel and cacgo access, must be extended biannually. These shafts ace stcategically situated to pcovide immediate egcess fcom the underground complex should the occasion demand. The complex is largely self-contained, although station pecsonnel must go topside to monitor and secvice instcuments in outlying sheltecs. This displacement of instcuments away fcom the main building is required to minimize contamination of cectain mea­ surements.

3. Mission

SANAE III is a center foe cesearch in high latitude phenome­ na and a staging point for geologists and glaciologists bound to or fcom Gcunehogna, the South Afcican summer field camp situated approximately 250 kilometers to the south on the Ahlmann Ridge. 32a

=w,=~------.... ---,:.

~ .. 0 ...... " . .., '~ . ,.._. ~ , - ~

SANAE III Dining Facility - 33 -

4. Personnel

The 1983 wintering party, numbering 15, is under the lead­ ership of Arnold Vermooten, M.D., who is also the station physi­ cian. The wintering party is heavily weighted with scientists in proportion to support personnel. This is partly made possible because many of the housekeepung duties (cooking, cleaning, ser­ vicing the snow melter) are shared equally. All personnel re­ ceive special training in cooking and firefighting before they set sail for Antarctica.

Last summer the population swelled to a high of 75 in con­ nection with the erection of an improved summer camp at Grune­ hogna. During such periods, the old emergency base mentioned above is reactivated to shelter the overflow.

5. Scientific Program

Aside from meteorology, scientific programs at SANAE are carcied out by groups from at least four South African univer­ sities. Uppec atmospheric physics is the principal area of scientific endeavor. The scientists measure and do some ini­ tial analysis of data on such phenomena as auroc~s, airglow, the ionosphere, and cosmic rays.

The meteorologists make use of advanced radar and computa­ tional techniques.

Geophysical measurements are made in the fields of geomag­ netism and seismology, and the data are fed into world data and analysis systems. //

Scientific parties come from South Africa 1n the summer to do geological research and study mammals.

6. Equipment

SANAE III appears to have equipment which is in keeping with its location and mission. Although there ace various tracked vehicles to move people and materiels over ice and snow, the summer expeditions benefit substantially from the seasonal availability of two heavyduty helicopters carried aboard the supply ship SA ALGUHAS. ·These aircraft can lift and transport 18 people or three tons of cargo 250 kilometers and back.

SANAE III obtains power from two 150 KW diesel generator sets, either of which is sufficient to meet normal demands. Each of the living and working tunnels has its own oil-fired air heat­ ers. Fire, the nemesis of Antarctic living, is countered by an advanced system of warning and control. An exhaust-gas-heated snow melter in the power plant provides sufficient fresh water to meet requirements, while waste liquid from each of the build­ ings is collected in a tank and then pumped to disposal points -- -

- 33a -

·- . --· . - ---~ - .. - ----·- .. . -

• ci,

Fig 16: Georg Von Neumayer - Aerial View - 34 - well off the site. Trash is collected and burned weekly.

7. A.ems

No ficeacms wece reported by mission personnel, and no military activity was in evidence.

8. Communications

The telecommunications equipment at SANAE III is appro­ priate foe stations in the difficult antarctic environment.

9. Other Comments

The Government of the Republic of South Africa obviously considers its effort in Antarctica to be a serious enterprise. This is evident from its recent investment in SANAE III anc Gcunehogna.

K. Federal Republic of Germany Station - Geo.cg von Neumayer (70°37 1 S, 08°22 1 W)

1. General

On February 16, one day after the visit to SANAE III, the Observer Team a.copped in at Geo.cg von Neumayer Station of the Fede.cal Republic of Germany (FRG). The Team stayed about -£6uc hours, during which time it was given a thorough tour and was briefed on the station's scientific programs. The visit ended after a pleasant luncheon.

2. Physical Description

The Fede.cal Republic of Germany intended to establish its permanent, year-round station at the head of the Weddell Sea. Heavy ice there in the summer of 1980-81, however, made it nec­ essary to shift to the alternate site near Atka Icepoct on the Ekstrom Ice Shelf of Princess Martha Coast, about 200 km west of SANAE III. The Atka Icepoct has the advantage of a relative­ ly stable shelf front, presumably because it rests on bedrock. Despite the breadth of the Icepoct (30 kilometers) and its ex­ posure to northerly winds, several small inlets on its western side afford some protection from waves. Ad~itionally, these inlets usually retain some fast ice providing gentle and easy access to the surface of the ice shelf. Disadvantages of the locale include heavy wines and drifting snow. The mountains of the interior, on the other hand, ace much more accessible than those in the Weddell Sea region.

Following the lead of the British and the South Africans, the West Germans opted foe a base consisting of prefabricated containers supported in tubular corrugated steel shells. This architectural concept seems well adapted to ice shelf environ------·------

- 35 - ments in which structures inevitably and gradually sink deeper under the annual accumulation of snow. The shape of the pro­ tecting tube and the system of supporting jacks for leveling interior structures in the event of tube deformation or settling is quite similar to the earlier South African design. A big difference appears to be that with a smaller planned complement, the West Germans were able to simplify their design to just two parallel tubes joined near the ce~ter by a small lateral tube forming an H-shaped structure measuring 50.5x21 meters overall. Despite a late start, assembly of the most essential parts of the meticulously engineered complex was completed in 40 diys. An initial team of five persons stayed through the winter of 1981.

The first tube completed contains (from back to front): a radio room, station office, dining room, kitchen, supply rooms, toilets and washroom, ice melting apparatus, power plant, work­ shopf and an unheated space for work on vehicles which enter via a snow ramp from the surface. The second tube contains a series of containers forming a long hallway off which are small rooms adaptable either as bedrooms or laboratories. One unit was equipped as a medical office. At the time of the Team's visit, the last rooms in this ~ube were being finished, and the duplicate power plant stood · ready for use.

This structure is designed to last for about 10 years, mak­ ing allowance for the 80 cm/year rate of snow accumulation. Thus, as at SANAE III and Halley, ventilators and access shafts will have to be raised periodically. A temporary shelter of wood was put up nearby during the 1982-83 summer to house ship­ ping containers of food and other supplies.

3. Mission

Georg von Neumayer station is a high-latitude scientific observatory. It also serves as a logistics base for summer field work in the region.

4. Personnel

At the time of the Observer Team's visit, 28 persons were living at Georg von Neumayer. The normal wintering complement is eight. The extra summer occupants, m~inly construction work­ ers, were housed in several small temporary shelters on the sur­ face near the base. The leader of the 1983 wintering party is Ralph Hochgrebe, M.D., the station physician. With him are two geophysicists and two meteorologists •. All the personnel are, however, multifunctional and able to tend the many instruments of the station.

The Observer Team was conducted around the station by Dipl.­ Ing. Dietrich (Karl) Ensz, project leader of the firm responsible foe the station's design and co~stcuction (Christiani & Nielsen - 36 -

AG of Hambucg, a German subsidiary of a Danish company).

5. Scientific Program

The FRG's antarctic reseacch program is directed by the Alfced Wegener Institute for Polar Research headquacteced in Bremer-haven. Its director-, Prof. Gotthilf Adolph Hempel, was also heading the 1982- 83 FRG Antacctic Expedition.

The yeac-cound scientific pcogram at Geocg von Neumayer deals mainly with seismology, geomagnetism, and tides. There is a cemote station about one kilomet~c away which is ~quipped to measure short period seismic signals, including local ice quakes. At the time of the visit, technicians were installing a system to digitize the analog seismic data.

Wock in meteocology includes standard sucface and uppec air measucements. A new 45 meter antenna of special design had just been installed to investigate t he local enecgy balance using a vertically moving instcument package.

SuITu~er ceseacch is much moce ambitious and widespread. For these wide-ranging studies, seasonally visiting vessels and tracked vehicle trains ace used. On land these are mainly geolo­ gical and glaciological stu·di-es, but tcace elements in the atmos­ phere and Vecy Low Fcequency (VLF) propagation characterist ics ace also being investigated.

Filchnec Summer Station (77°09'S, 50°38'W), now equipped with a well appointed prefabcicated shelter-, pcovides a seasonal base foe studies in aceas closer to the South Pole.

At sea there is an extensive pcogcam of oceanogcaphic re­ search £com the cesearch/supply vessel POLARSTERN, which made its maiden voyage to Antacctica in the summer- of 1982-83.

Note: Completely separate from the pcograms described above is the cesearch undectaken under- the auspices of the FRG's Geophysical Reseacch Institute in Hannovec and supported fcom the vessel MS POLAR QUEEN. Ganovex III was active ducing the summer of 1982- 83 in North Victocia Land.

6. Equipment ···-~

At Geocg von Neumayer- Station emphasis has been placed on state-of-the-act equipment and on ene cgy-saving measuces. As in­ dicated above, the base has two pewee plants--an impoctant emec­ gency capability. Each is equipped wi t h two 60 KW diesel gene­ catocs so that either- pair can easily pcovide the 90 KW needed to opecate the station. Heat exchangers associated with the cooling water and exhaust gases of the diesel engines heat the water that warms the quart ecs and melts snow foe fcesh water. An advanced fice sensi~g and control system includes elec- 36a

Fig 17: Halley Station New Base Under Construction ------~ ·------

- 37 -

tcically celeased spcing-loaded fice doors and built-in halo­ gen gas fice extinguishers.

There is an impressive arcay of tracked over-the-snow ve­ hicles. A snow runway has been marked out on the surface of the ice shelf neac the station foe a Dorniec 128/6 Tucbo Sky­ secvant with a 1 , 500 km cange, which, however, will not be available until next yeac.

7. Acms

No acms ace kept at Georg von Neumayec Station. All ac­ _tivities ace of a peaceful natuce.

8. Communications

The station has an u nusually wide cange of telecommuni­ cations equipment, including satellite telephone communications worldwide via INMARSAT.

9. Other Comments

Solid waste which cannot be bucned is cetrogcaded from Ant­ acctica in containers. Sewage is piped well away fcom the station and is readily absorbed i~ the- ice. / It is evident that ·the Federal Republic is makinc a major effoct in anta rctic----;esearch. In the span of just a few yea cs it has built a ficst-class yeac-cound station, a summer ceseacch station, and one of th~ world's most advanced polar ceseacch ·vessels. These scientific platforms, moceovec, suppoct a coher­ ent ceseacch program which extends widely ovec Antacctica and ~he succounding Southern Ocean.

L. United Kingdom Station - Halley (75°3l'S, 26°56 1 W)

1. Genecal

Bob Bowlec, Chief of the 1983 wintering pacty greeted the Obsecvec Team when it alighted fcom the helicopters at 0845 on Febcuacy 18. He led the team twenty metecs down a series of ladders to the undec-ice base. After introductions and the Team's explanation of the purpose of its visit, Mc. Bowlec pco­ posed that the Obsecvecs commence with a · touc of the existing base and then visit the new base under constcuction at a site about sixteen kilometecs fucthec inland. He conducted the Team thcough the station, introducing the British scientists who in tucn bciefed the Team on their observational and ceseacch tasks. Following a climb back to the surface and a look at the major in­ strument shelters, the Obsecvec Team departed by helicopter at 1115 for the new base. Fcom 1130 to 1300 the Team toured the construction in pcogcess at the new base under the expect guid­ ance of Alan Smith, designec and pcoject superintendent. - 38 -

Under the terms of the Antarctic Treaty, the Observer Team had considered a visit to the RRS Bransfield, which was discharging cargo foe Halley at the nearby shelf edge. Howevec, one of the crewmen on the British supply vessel was under quar­ antine foe suspected tuberculosis, and, upon the advice of the British physician at Halley, the visit to the ship was cancelled.

2. Physical Description

The U.K. established its first research station in the im­ mediate vicinity of Halley in 1955. The existing base is repor­ tedly the foucth such installation. As with SANAE and Georg von Neumayec, Halley was built on a floating ice shelf where the one meter annual snow accumulation soon buries any shelter, and the gcadually increasing pressure eventually necessitates abandon­ ment of structures and a new start.

The British have persisted in occupying the position at Halley, despite the need to rebuild periodically, because the span of observational data collected in the area has increasing value. Halley, located on the Brunt Ice Shelf of Caira coast in Coats Land, is the southernmost British research station in Antarctica and is therefore of unique interest to the U.K. scientific community.

The existing base, built in 1972-73, es t ablished t h e box­ in- tube technology which has subsequently been adopted in re­ fined form by the new SANAE and Georg von Neumayer stations. This concept, described previously, appears to be a successful habitat form adapted to a demanding environment.

Hallev Station's uncomolicated linear floor plan -- four Acrr.co corcugated steel tube; connected in series -- reflects its pioneer status. The tubes contain in order: (1) the medical/surgical unit a n d docmit6ry; (2) the kitchen, dining room, club room, office and communications center; (3 ) the sci­ entific install ation/labocatocies; and (4 ) the garage (with a snow ramp to t h e surface). Between the first and second tubes, a tunnel carved latecally into the ice provides a convenient storage area foe food, although at -6° Cit is not cold enough to preserve frozen foods. At the connection between the second and thicd tubes, an L-shaped offshoot houses the power plant .~and a work-shop.

~ 3. Mission

Halley is first and foremost a meteorological and geophy~ sical labocatocy. Secondarily, it functions as a base foe summer field excursions into the interior.

4. Personnel

During the Observer Team's visit there were appcoximately ------

- 39 -

24 pecsons at the existing Halley Base, a .normal summer comple­ ment. The usual wintering party numbers sixteen, of whom ten ace scientists (including the doctoc) and the rest are suppoct personnel. All stay foe a two- year tour, but only about half ace exchanged each year, thereby providing operational continu­ ity.

About 60 wockers were employed in constcuction of the new Halley base. All personnel present at both bases wece employees of the Bcitish Antarctic Survey. During the 1983 winter the overall chief at Halley Station is Mc. Dave Fletcher.

5. Scientific Program

Halley Station is strong in the fields of meteocology and geophysics. In addition to standard surface observations, mete­ ocologists at Halley launch 3-4 radiosondes per week. The ce­ sults are transmitted cegulacly to England by satellite as input to the international weathec network. There is a dopplec wind analysis project foe the Ulstec Technological Institute.

Ionosphecic studies of several kinds are pursued. Most unusual of these is work with an Advanced Ionospheric Sounder (AIS), which employs radar to ~probe and monitor the ionosphere.

6. Equipment

The various items of equipment at Halley appeac to be ap­ pcopriate to its mission and to requicernents associated with ongoing construction. Much construction equipment will be re­ turned to the U.K. when the new base is completed.

An airstrip has been laid out at Halley foe ski-equipped aiccraft, but no aircraft ace based at the station, and connec­ tions with Rotheca ace infcequent.

7. Arms

Thece ace two old Enfield .303 rifles at Halley Station, vestiges of pcevious years when they wece needed to pcovide a seal meat supplement foe sled dogs. None but peaceful activi­ ties were observed at Halley.

8. Communications

Halley enjoys dicect satellite communications with Cocnwall in the U.K. It also has nocmal radio and telex facilities. By tradition, personnel at Halley ace allowed to send to the U.K. and to ceceive each month telexes of 200 weeds fcee of chacge. · ·------~------,..-....,: __ - -- ·--·· ..... ------

- 40 -

9. Other Corr~ents

Foe its new Halley Base, the British Antacctic Survey has chosen to use an outec shell-of wood cathec than steel. It rea­ sons that since wood is a better insulator than steel, there will be less heat loss to the outside and thecefoce less melting of ice in contact with the shell. As a result, the building should be less susceptible to .differential settling. It should be noted that undesired settling has becone an increasing problem at the existing base and, in fact, has reached the point at which it can no longer be coccected.

To improve the traffic pattern, an H-shaped layout has been chosen foe the new Halley Base. The overall dimensions of the complex ace 38x21 meters, and the tubes forming the wings ace 6.4 meters in extecioc diameter. The cicculac shell of the tubes is constructed of curved pcefabcicated wooden panels bolted together bcickwock fashion with cubbecized packing to pcovide flexibility and a watecpcoof seal.

The intecnal structures ace permanent, two-story boxes as­ sembled of pcefabcicatea, insulated panels. Measuring a little ovec fouc meters in width, these climate-controlled interiors will offec approximately 650 ~quace meters of usable floor space.

Construction of the new base began o~ January 2, and at the time of the Team's visit, it was anticioated that all struc­ tural elements as well as the most essential service installa­ tions would be functional by Febcuacy 27, fouc days ahead of schedule. Accocding to Alan Smith, the rapidity with which con­ struction has pcogcessed is due to: (1) careful planning; (2) simplicity of design; (3) tcial assembly of pact of the structure in England before shipment; (4) two-shift, around the clock, highly motivated laboc; and (5) unusually favocable weather during the construction period. A twelve-man wock focce will remain ducing the 1983 winter and should be able to fioish the interior in time for an early 1984 occupancy.

The new base is designed to accommodate twenty people in double rooms undec normal staffing. The lower levels of three of the fouc wings are designated as storage aceas while the fourth will house the genecatoc coom and vehicle maintenance acea (with camp· access fcom the surface). Inter-accessibility among the four wings is provided only at the lower level, but several stairwells make getting around easy. The main entrance is at one intersection of the H-shaped structure and there is to be a fceight elevator at the othec--an antacctic "first. The upper levels of the wings are designated as: (1) docmitocy; (2) sci­ ence offices and medical/sucgical unit; (3) dining room, cecce­ ation hall, and administrative office; and (4) miscellaneous stocage and utilities. The total cost of the new base, includ­ ing mateciels, equipment (othec than scientific), salacies and ~------

/

- 41 - " transport, is reported to be b 1.3 million. Its design life is fifteen years.

The new Halley Base is yet one more indication of continu­ ing, longterm British interest in Antarctica. The new base breaks fresh ground in antarctic building technology.

M. Argentine Station - General Belgrano II (77°52'S, 34°37'W)

1. General

On the morning of February 19 the Observer Team approached General Belgrano II Station by helicopter but was turned back by a whiteout condition which made further attempts at penetration inland unsafe. Finally, at approximately 1100, the Team was able to land. The Commandant, Maj. Victor Ruben Cordoba, and his staff warmly welcomed the Team and the helicopter crews, conduct­ ing them to the station's social center. After introductions the Team explained the purpose of their visit.

Although an effort to establish prior contact by radio was unsuccessful, the Commandant knew of the Team's presence in Ant­ arctica and responded generously to the intent of the visit. The hosts explained the station's-mission and then conducted the Team through the facilities, explaining the scientific projects as they went along. After a cordial final gathering, the Observer Team departed at approximately 1400.

2. Phvsical Description

The Republic of Argentina established General Belgrano II Station in 1979 after the first station by that name (about 65 km west on the Filchne r Ice Shelf) became untenable and had to be abandoned. The new station is located at the extreme southern shore of the Weddell Sea on the Luitpold Coast of Coats Land. Mo re specifically, General Belgrano II occupies a breathtaking vantage point atop a small rock outcrop at the confluence of the Schweizer, Lerchenfeld, and Penck glaciers. Perched at an eleva­ tion of approximately 40 0 meters, the station enjoys a sweeping v iew to the northwest taking in the numerous icebergs usually grounded in Vahsel Bay. Crevassed icefalls bracket the site on three siaes. The gradual rise of the polar ice cap to the south­ east, however, provides an opening to the interior.

The station comprises an orderly grouping of eleven one­ story buildings. Painted red with black roofs, they conform in elevation to the uneven slope of the rocky confined site. Cen­ trally situated in the group and near the summit of the ice-free area is a large square structure containing a workshop and elec­ trical generators. Nearby are two buildings, one for storage, one for the station 1 s radio equipment. Downslope to one side are two parallel rows of essentially identical, insulated con------·------·- . --· ·

41a

..-» ' ·.··· . , ·-. '~-. ' '. ... .·_ . ~ .. ·. . '. \ . . - ; \ \, ... :. .· ... .· .. . ,: ::. ' .~ : \ . .. ·- .. ··.. ··: ··::· ...... , : :•,. .. . \ "'. .. -:.. ~ ':<·:·- >/I_;_'.J.'.~,_~_;:El \ . \. .· -.•. ·. .. ~- : .: . ·.. ; :; \ . . ·. -.... . -· . .. . . ~ -.... :. ..'..:.. · \, \ . \ . i - ,··· .. .. :- .,· . ~ .. . . ·. -\ . \ _\ -.- : . :-~ .. ·. .. .

...... ·.:· .. ~ ~ :_; '\i\:/:~,:)i1'::,. .·..: ·,. '? ,~ ' . ~ ... e ~i'

Fig 18· General Belgrano II Headquarters/Dormitory - 42 - tainecs which, the Team was infocmed, constituted the ociginal base. The fouc units in the uppec cow now hold miscellaneous field supplies. The thcee in the lowec cow house the meteoco­ logical and geophysical labocatocies.

Downslope on anothec side is the newest and lacgest build­ ing, the pcide of the station. It consists of an ample squace coom to which, on each of thcee sides, two units have been at­ tached end-on. These wings pcovide coom foe sleeping quactecs and lavatocies. On the foucth side of the centcal coom is the kitchen. This multifunctional building has been accanged and fucnished to make a comfoctably pleasant headquactecs, living, and cecceational acea. In its cock-walled foundation/cellac ace the snow meltec, the doctoc's office, and food stocage cooms.

Aside fcom one oc two outlying instcument sheltecs and vac­ ious telecommunications antennas, the most interesting additional facility is an ice cave which has been cacved out of the glaciec just a few steps fcom the headquactecs building. Staff membecs take tucns chopping out pieces of glacial ice to be caccied up and melted foe the base watec supply. In the pcocess the Acgen­ tines have excavated a good-sized ice cavecn made strikingly beautiful by cefcacted blue light filtecing thcough £com the suc­ face. Sevecal of the alcove&- of the cavecn ace used to stoce va­ cious kinds of supplies. One, howevec, is cesecved as a lovely gcotto and contains only a small statue of the Vicgin Macy.

3. Mission

Genecal Belgcano II is essentially a national antacctic out­ post, although the station also secves as a meteocological and geophysical labocatocy.

4. Personnel

The station's yeac-cound complement is nineteen. The staff is exchanged as a unit annually in Decembec. The station is op­ ecated by the Armed Focces of the Republic of Argentina. The commandant and his deputy ace Acmy rnajocs, and eleven moce of the staff, including the station doctoc, are militacy. The cemaining six in the station complement ace scientists. Though staffed largely by military personnel, thece was no evidence of any but peaceful activities.

5. Scientific Pcogcam

The station's thcee meteocologists maintain a standacd ob­ secvational pcogcam involving monitocing and cecocding elements of sucface weathec phenomena. The data ace tcansmitted to Vice­ comodoco Macambio Station, the collecting point foe Acgentine weathec data in Antacctica. Reseacch projects in upper: atmospheric physics include 42a

Fig 19: Vice Comodoro Marambio Aerial View

-..,,.__ _ ------~- ~----

- 43 -

studies of solar radiation intensity and, from April to October, Very Low Frequency (VLF) transmission studies. Variations in the absolute values of the earth's magnetic field are also re­ corded for study.

6. Equipment

The equipment observed at General Belgrano II station was, without exception, in keeping with its scientific mission. No aircrafc are stationed at the base. Resupply and the transfer of personnel is accomplished once a year by helicopters carried aboard the Vice Almirante Irizar, Argentina's new icebreaker/ supply vessel. Eight snowmobiles provide transportation out onto the neighboring glaciers for research and recreational purposes.

7. Arms

No arms are kept at the station.

8. Communications

The telecommunications capabilities at the station are ap­ propriate to scientific and administrative requirements. More­ over, they constitute a significant morale factor with relatively frequent voice communications possible to families in Argentina. The 14.137 ~HZ channel (monitored between 2100 and 2230) appears to be the favoured one for stations calling General Belgrano II.

9. Other Comments

The station was neat, orderly, and obviously well managed. Trash was apparently burned and/or retrograded, and waste water and sewage was piped into a pit in the glacier.

N. Arcentine Station - Vicecomodoro Marambio (64°14 1 S, 56°38 1 W)

1. General

The first contingent of the Observer Team arrived by heli­ copter at Mararnbio Station at 0815 on March 3. Though taken by surprise, Maj. Peter Augustin Maye, the Commandant, was most hospitable, inviting the Team in ·for warming cups of strong Argentine coffee. After a general discussion covering the sta­ tion's mission and operations, the Commandant conducted the Team on a tour of the principal buildings. He explained the function of outlying buildings not actually inspected, since a few were well removed, and a bone-chilling gale was sweeping the base. The last contingent of the Observer Team departed from Marambio at approximately 1200. - 1+'1 3a -

Fig 20 : USQ O CO as ~V Guard Helicopter at Vice Comodoro Mcrambio He l ipad

···--.. - ~ ---. 44

2. Phvsical Description

Ma.cambio Station is situated on the noctheaste.cn end of Seymour Island ( Isla Vicecomodo.co Macambio), which lies about 80 kilometers due sou th of the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. It is the easternmost of an ace of islands which forms the western and southern fringe of Erebus and Te.cco.c Gulf. Like its smaller neighbor, Cockburn Island, its top is naturally flat at an elevation of about 190 meters. In 1969 the Argentines took advantage of this flat, ice-free site to construct an air­ field and weather observatory. Over the yea.cs various structures have been added to the base.

The buildings of the base are all situated to the southeast of the generally NE -SW oriented airstrip. The most imposing of them is a hangar which stands at the end of a taxiway at .eight angles to the airstrip. It is large enough to accommodate eas­ ily a Twin Otter aircraft and perhaps a C-130.

The main complex of buildings is removed another 50 meters to the southeast. It consists of five interconnected rectangular structures of varying size oriented roughly N-S. The western­ most of these (closest to the hangar) houses the offices, includ­ ing radio room, meteorology·.cooms, mail room, infi.cma.c~, and the Commandant's office. Slightly downslope to the east and connec­ ted by an inclined covered passageway ace, in order: the_mess hall, kitchen, and food storage building; a dormitory-; -an all­ purpose structure no longer used (said to be the first on the base); and last, a significantly larger new building. The lat­ ter, not yet finished inside, will ·contain under one .coof_,....a dining room and kitchen on the west_ side and a recreation room/_ club on the east. At the south en& is space for a new ten-bed inficma.cy and office.

Outlying buildings include, among others, the power house, two workshops, a rocket launching facility, an airstrip control tower, OMEGA navigation cont.col buildings, storage for refriger­ ated foods, and a radiosonde preparation and launch facility.

3. Mission

MaraDbio Station is called an air base by the Argentine Government. It is pcirna.cily an air logistics center for Argen­ tine operations in Antarctica.

As a secondary function, Marambio is a weather center. Weather: data from all othir Argentine stations are received and retransmitted to Cornodoco Rivadavia in Argentina and from there on to Buenos Aires.

4. Personnel

Vicecomodoro Macambio is operated by the Argentine Air ------~------~ --..-. ... ~------·"-- ---·- _, __

- 45 -

Force. The Co mmandant, Maj. Maye, is a C-130 navigator. He has four other Air Force officers on his wintering staff, of whom one is from the National Commission for Antarctic Research (administered by the Armed Forces ) , two ace Air Force pilots, a nd one is the station physiciano

A total of 42 persons win ter over at Marambio. Eigh t are scientists not employed directly by the Air Force. The annual exchange of base personnel takes place in October. At the time the Observer Team was visiting, an additional eleven construction and maintenance workers were present. Because of Marambio's fo­ cal character, the station population reportedly may balloon to as many as 200· during the active summer period (October-March). Most of this number are in a transient status enroute to or from another location.

5. Scientific Program

Marambio is a base foe substantial scientific f i eld activity in the summer& The principal year-round scientific activity at· Marambio ~tation is meteorology. Standard 3-houc surface measure­ ment of temperature, humidity, and wind direction and velocity is carried out, as well as once-daily radiosonde upper atmosphere readings. When there are ai~-operations, hourly observations of visibility and cloud c~ilings ace also made. Detection and mea­ surement of atmospheric aerosols and of solar radiation are routine < Some of the meteorologists ace engaged in preparing weath er fore­ casts based on local and received data and on imagery from the U.S. NOAA 6 and 7 and t h e Soviet Meteor satellites.

In the summer , t he scientific program broadens to include investigations in geology, paleontology and glaciology. Most of these are carried out by field parties with air support. A major effort is u nderway to decipher the geology of t h e east side of t he Antarctic Peninsula. In the austral summer of 1982-83 this program involved eleven persons and the movement of ten tons of cargo. Another continuing project is an aerial magnetometer s u rvey by helicopter of the continental shelf east of the Antarc­ tic Peninsula. A t h ird deals with the dynamics of the Larsen Ice Shelf and includes, among other activities, a geochemical analysis of ice cores.

One of the more unusual ~projects completed during the austral summer of 1982-83 was the restocation and conservation of the hut left on nearby Snowh ill Island (Isla Cerro Nevada) by the Swedish Southpolac Expedition of 19 01 lead by De. N6cdenskjold.

6. Equipment

The equipment at Marambio appears to fit the chaccter of the ·- station. Greatest emphasis seems to be on the support of air lo­ gistic opecations. The crushed rock aicstcip has a radio beacon on wh ich appcoaching planes can hoille, The hangar is equipped foe - 46 - basic aircraft maintenance. The presence of about ten snow­ mobiles is indicative of the suppoct Marambio gives to su:nmec field parties.

The Team was interested to note that Macambio was the only base included in its itinecacy which appears to employ an in­ dustry-sized trash compactor. When possible, solid waste is burned but waste materials which cannot be burned ace compacted, baled, and retcograded to Argentina.

7. Anns

No arms ace kept at Macambio Station. There was no indica­ tion of any but peaceful activities.

8. Co mm unications

It was reported that personnel at Macambio Station monitor channel 8980 KHZ by day and 4490 KHZ at night. These ace the favocable operating hours foe these frequencies. VHF frequen­ cies used for local ships and aircraft ace 118.1 and 118.5.

While an antenna foe the French/German Symphonie telecommu­ nications satellite was notea;· the Observer Team was informed that this satellite is no longer active.

9. Other. Comments

The source of water at Macambio Station is snow, which must be melted in a special heater. Restricted supply of this basic need could limit much further expansion of the station. On the other hand, the site provides ample space foe station enlargement if need be.

The station receives its fuel during the annual visits (mid-January to mid-February) of the icebreaker/supply vessel Alrnicante Irizac. Most of the other suppies ace apparently brought by C-130 from Rio Gallegos in Southern Argentina. These connections are at least monthly. ·

From Macambio, wheel/ski equipped Twin Otter planes fly to four other Argentine stations in Antarctica. In the summer they also fly t o field parties on ice shelves or glaciers. Macambio­ based helicoptecs (summer only) supply other points of interest inaccessible to fixed wing aircraft.

VII. Additional Observations

A. Second Indian Antarctic Expedition

On the evening of February 13 at about 1800 houcs the POLAR STAR nosed into fast ice alongside the POLAR CIRCLE, an ice­ strengthened ship of Ca~adian registry undec charter to the Gov- . -- ···•··-· -·---·•·~---"------'------~----'------~-~~------~~------'---- - ·- - --

46a

I i I .OQ,

- -•-· r \ - ·----

··----·. ---- ··

------·--~-::...... -: · -- --

Fig 2 1 Second Indian Antarctic Expedition Polar Circle at Right with Indian Base Camp in Background ------

- 47 -

ernment of India. The principal officers of the POLAR CIRCLE and the leader of the 2nd Indian Expedition, Dr. R. K. Raina, came aboard for two hours as guests of Capt. Joseph E. Smith, Commanding Officer of the POLAR STAR. During the brief visit Dr. Raina, a geologist from the Geological Survey of India, volunteered to Dr. Chapman of the Observer Team the following information:

This is the second successive year that·an Indian expedition has visited this location (69°59'S, 11°07'E) in Antarctica. The Indian expedition, composed of 27 Indian scientists and two Indian Navy helicopter pi­ lots, ernplaced two buildings neac the shelf edge (vi­ sible from the ship) as a provisional base, named Dakshin Gangotri. Principally by means of two Alou­ ette helicopters, the Indians conducted a series of reconnaissance sweeps inland as far as the Wohlthat Mountains. Scientific observations were carried out in the fields of geology, glaciology, upper atmo­ sphecic physics, and meteorology. The expedition also collected samples of ice algae from lakes for later study. Data from an automated weather station set up during the preceding summer in the Schumacher Hills were recovered, an~_fresh tapes were installed. Tentative plans call for the first wintering over to take place at Dakshin Gangotri in 1984. Later, a ma­ jor base in the interior may be established in the Schumacher Hills, but it is likely that a more de­ sirable site will be sought in the Wohlthat Mountains.

Dr. Raina had hoped to invite a g~oup of Americans from the POLAR STAR to visit Dakshin Gangotri Camp. Unfortunately, time was lacking and the invitation was declined with thanks. The peaceful intent of the Indian Antarctic Expedition was manifest in Dre Raina's remarks.

B. FS POLARSTERN

On the morning of February 20, the POLAR STAR cendezvoused with the Federal Republic of Germany's new polar research ves­ sel POLARSTERN in a large ice floe at 77°23'S, 38°12'W (near the southernmost reaches of the Weddell Sea). The leader of the __ 1982-83 West German Expedition, Prof. Gotthilf Hempel, invited ~ , A:--nericans from the POLAR STAR to come aboard POLAR.STERN, and an exchange of visits ensuedo The Observec Team toured the POLAR­

STERN under the expert auidance., , of Profo Dietrich Flitterer and Dr. Gerhard Haase, both geologists from the Alfred Wegener In­ stitute of Polar Research in Brernerhaven.

Unlike the U.S. Coast Guard cutter POLAR STAR, the POLARSTERN is primarily a research vessel rather than an icebreaker. The POLARSTERN can thus accommodate mace scientists (40) and is out­ fitted for a wider v ariety of research tasks. No attempt to 47a

~~rQ•• \ { . -~~~« ,◄ ~i-r.: <.

:~·-, ' L -~ \ , ._: ,':'--- · - . t

__ __.,,,,.,._...... -::---:- --·~ ,.___ ._:_ _ ~ - -· ...... -':. . . ~ ..,.:-:i..;_.. .. . :..----=----=·==-··- _;;.,,.._·___ . :::;==--·--c.:.·... • ..... =:;:----~---~-.,r:; _ _~- .:.....~.:.....=-~ ~~~------~--'·-:- .------.·.--·.·: .. . ·-~ __.,, ..·· -: ··. ·- - -~---.

Fig 22: FRG Polar Research Vessel POLARS TERN = c....:. . =~-'---~------~-----~-=~~--~-- - -~------~

- 48 -

specify these oc to desccibe the modecn equipment available to caccy them out will be made hece. Suffice it to say, the POLARSTERN is undoubtedly one of the most well equipped platfocms foe polac_c~seacch afloat. The peaceful intent of the POLARSTERN's mission, which includes annual cesupply of Geocg von Neumayec Station, was self-evident.

VIII. Summacy and Conclusion

Without exception, the Obsecvec Team was wacmly ceceived at each of the stations visited ducing its touc acound Antacc­ tica. The opecations of each station wece explained and dis­ cussed fceely. The scientific pecsonnel took pcide in expounding on theic obsecvations and expeciments. Although not evecy stcuc­ tuce could be visited at each station in the time available, thece is no ceasonable doubt that all stations visited exemplify adhecence to the peaceful pucposes of the Antacctic Tceaty. Moceovec, each is seriously engaged in incceasing man's knowledge of this cemote fcontiec and the lacgec space enviconment foe which Antacctica secves as a window.

Most impoctant, at each station the coopecative spicit of Antacctica, as embodied in the Antacctic Tceaty system, is alive and was stcongly afficmed. • Fcequently the wish was expcessed that the same spontaneous fciendships based on shared goals and the same close cooperation founded in fcee scientific inquicy could exist without inhibition elsewhece in the wocld.

The Obsecvec Team found that all stations visited wece com­ plying with both the provisions and the spicit of the Antacctic Tceaty and its agceed measuces. IX. Addendum ~ - Acticle IX of the Tceaty directs that cepocts pcepaced by \, officially designated obsecvecs ace to be shaced with othec Con­ sultative Pacties. This cleacly indicates that obsecvecs, though 1 nationally designated, ace in fact secving the intecests of all pacties to the Tceaty. The pcesent cepoct is accocdingly submit- ted in this spirit. It is hoped that it will be a contcibution i to the Antacctic Tceaty system, to peace in the cegion, and by \ extension, to peace thcoughout the world. It will perhaps also 1 contcibute to public awaceness of man's activities in Antacctica. \ ..._, _ ------...J X. Acknowledgements

Much is owed to many people and to sevecal ocganizations foe the genecous suppoct that contcibuted to the success of the Obsec­ vec Team's mission. Bciefings pcovided in Washington, D.C. wece of fundamental value. In Chcistchucch, the Obsecvec Team ceceived fucther briefing and suitable clothing fcom local cepcesentatives of the National Science Foundation and ITT Antacctic Secvices. r. - 49 -

Upon arrival at McMucao Station, the Observer Team received VIP treatment from the Senior U.S. Representative in Antarctica, Dr. Edward P. Toda, Directoc of the NSF's Division of Polar Programs, and Captain Brian Shoemaker, Commandec of the U.S. Naval Support Force, Antarctica. Through their thoughtful and generous help, a short but invaluable program of antarctic orientation and familia­ rization was arranged which provided a benchmark for the inspec­ tions that followed.

The Observer Team also thanks Captain Joseph E. Smith and the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard cuttec POLAR STAR for theic friendliness and highly professional support during the Antarctic circumnavigation. In particular, the Team recognizes the dedi­ cation and skill of the aviation detachment, without whom the station visits could not have been made.

Finally, the Observer Team wishes to thank the thirteen em­ barked scientists under the inspired leadership of Dr. Osmund Holm-Hansen. They provided stimulating companionship and resi­ dent expertise of a high order.

· ··. ; --