The Journal of the New Zealand Antarctic Society Vol 16. No. 3, 1998-99

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Contents

FORTHCOMING EVENT

NEWS Ministerial on Ice at Ross Island Giant Iceberg Born in Antarctica Ancient Antarctic Environments Rocked by Volcanic Eruptions

NATIONAL PROGRAMMES New Zealand Australia Iridium Ice Trek member Eric Phillips. Great Britain Canada

Volume 1 6, No. 3, 1998-99, FEATURE Issue No. 165 Iridium Ice Trek Long Awaited Journey SCIENCE NOTES Ozone Hole Largest on Record ANTARCTIC is published quarterly by the New Zealand Antarctic Cold Desert in Trans-antarctic Society Inc., ISSN 0003-5327. Study of Southern Ocean Ecosystems Please address all editorial enquiries and contributions to Warren Head, Publisher, 'Antarctic', Humpback Whales in Antarctic P O Box 2369, Christchurch or telephone 03 365 0344, facsimile 03 365 4255, e-mail [email protected]. EDUCATION Antarctic Study Course Starts

ANTARCTICA BOOK REVIEW _ J . . An Alien in Antarctica With Scott: The Silver Lining

TRIBUTES

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

PEOPLE

FORTHCOMING EVENT /\ / / N A N T A R C T I C I P E N I N S U L A Antarctic Marathon: The third Antarctica Marathon and Half Marathon are planned to be run on 13 February, 1999, on a course around King George Island, off the Antarctic Peninsula. Starting point will be the Uruguayan base and the route will take in the Chilean, Chinese and Russian bases. Previous marathons were also held on King George Island in 1995 and 1997. The event is organised by Marathon Tours Inc. of Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Marine Expeditions of Toronto are providing the travel arrangements. 'The Seventh Continent'

Vol 16 No. 3, 1998-99 Antarctic

MlNISTERIAL-ON-ICE at Ross Island ' he aim of a January 1998 visit section of the visit will be from by ministers from Antarctic Monday 25 to Thursday 28 January. Meeting a 40 year - Treaty countries to Antarctica Weather and operational conditions will demonstrate at first hand the may necessitate some adjustment to 'Icebreaker' extraordinary importance of the these dates. New Zealand will host a meeting continent and the success of the The United States and Italian of Antarctic Ministers on the ice Antarctic Treaty System. Antarctic programmes will be continent from 24-28 January In May 1997 the then New Zealand assisting with some of the arrange 1999, says the Associate Minister Prime Minister, Jim Bolger, ments for the visit in the of Foreign Affairs and Trade, announced at the XXIst spirit of international Hon Simon Upton. Antarctic Treaty Consultative partnership that marks The invitation was extended to meeting in Christchurch that the collaboration of the ministers from all twenty-six New Zealand hoped to offer j programmes with the other consultative parties to the this opportunity to visit New Zealand programme Antarctic Treaty. Mr Upton, who Antarctica. on the ice. will host and escort the group, Since then, preparations for Transport to Antarctica says "I hope that ministers from the so-called "ministerial-on- will be in an RNZAF most consultative parties will be ice" have been proceeding. C130 (Hercules) aircraft. able to attend. The ministerial- Space constraints have made Flying time from on-ice will lend direction and it necessary to limit invita Christchurch will be impetus to the Antarctic Treaty tions to a Minister and senior Simon Upton approximately eight System. official from each of the and a half hours. "In forty years there has been twenty-seven consultative parties Transport on the ice will be no ministerial meeting of the (inner or "voting" members of the provided by land transport vehicles of treaty parties. The business has Antarctic Treaty). Invitations were the New Zealand and United States always been handled by officials. formally extended by the Associate programmes. Air transport will be That has worked well up to now. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon provided by helicopters of the New But with new pressures on the Simon Upon, to counterpart ministers Zealand and United States Antarctic treaty and increasing scientific in the 26 other ATCPs in May, and he Programmes. and tourist traffic to the will host the visit. A party of approximately 60 continent, officials are going to The dates of the ministerial-on-ice persons is envisaged. Participants will need political direction and are 24-28 January 1999. Ministers and be allotted accommodation either at encouragement if the Treaty accompanying officials will assemble Scott Base or McMurdo Station. System is to cope with the in Christcluirch in time for briefing For activities on the ice, the party twenty-first century's demands." and kitting out with Antarctic gear on will be divided into smaller groups. While the meeting is designed Sunday 24 January 1999. The ice Continued on page 51 to be a fact-finding one, Mr Upton says he hopes the ice visit will provide some political momentum to the work of officials at future annual consul tative meetings of treaty parties. Future work facing the Treaty Parties includes the agenda of the new Committee for Environmental Protection and the development of a liability annex to the protocol. The ministers will be based at &m Scott Base and McMurdo Station. The visit will put the spotlight "rwW"» ' on the Ross Sea region and New Zealand's role as a leading New Zealand's "Scott Base " at Pram Point, Ross Island, location for top level visit to Antarctica. gateway to the continent.

Vol 16 No. 3, 1998- 99 Antarctic NEWS

Continued from page 50 The groups will be rotated through activities in the vicinity of Ross Island (where New Zealand's Scott Base and the United States' McMurdo Station are located). For some participants it is hoped that a day-long visit can be arranged to the Italian research station at Terra Nova. The visit and all activities will undergo a prior environmental impact assessment process in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty. The overall aim of the programme on the ice is to give participants an understanding of the global impor tance of Antarctica and of the signifi 'Ivan' the Terra Bus, used to transport travellers from McMurdo and Scott Base to the airfields on the ice shelf. cance of the achievements of the Photograph Courtesy CDRE Ray Citibanks, RNZ Antarctic Treaty System on the eve of the new millennium. The environment — Ministers will management under the Environmental Briefings and presentations at experience the vastness of Antarctica Protocol — environmental impact Christchurch (during pre-visit prepa through visits (including to the Dry assessment, protected area manage rations on Sunday 24 January) and in Valleys and ice edge). Visits to the ment, including historic site manage Antarctica support and supplement Ross Island historic huts and sites (at ment, and visitor management. Topical activities to reflect the three focus Hut Point, Cape Royds and Cape issues for the Treaty System, include areas of the visit: Evans) from which much of the early response to increasing human Peace and security — the visit will exploration of the Antarctic continent impacts through state-of-the-envi- reflect the success of the Antarctic was Lindertaken are in the itinerary. ronment reporting and the protected Treaty over the past forty years. It will Participants will be briefed on the area management system, and also look forward to the new millen practicalities of environmental Antarctic fisheries. nium. The visit will also acknowledge the importance of the XXIIIrd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, to be hosted by Peru in May 1999. Toothfish Threat Taken Seriously Science — the scientific importance "Unregulated toothfish fishing in convention's ability to deal with and significance of Antarctica will be the Ross Sea this summer is a possi illegal and unregulated fishing emphasised through scientific presen bility that New Zealand is taking throughout the Southern Ocean. tations and field visits. The critical seriously," says New Zealand's We are also looking for other ways f o c u s w i l l b e o n t h e Associate Foreign Affairs Minister of supporting the achievement of climate/biosphere role of Antarctica Simon Upton. the objective of the convention and its surrounding ocean. This will "Toothfish form an important which is the conservation of the include: part of the Ross Sea marine eco marine living resources of the • paleoclimate/global warming/ system. The pressure on toothfish Antarctic. climate change stocks in parts of the Southern "The credibility of CCAMLR is • the Southern Ocean: how Ocean does not appear to be dimin on the line. We are disappointed at Antarctica controls the world's ishing. The Ross Sea could provide the growing evidence that climate (ice formation, bottom a tempting target for poachers as companies and nationals associated water formation); ocean currents; they fish out grounds elsewhere." with countries which are parties to marine resoLirces The Convention for the CCAMLR are behind much of the • geology Conservation of Antarctic Marine toothfish plunder." • biology — including the origins of Living Resources (CCAMLR) has The New Zealand delegation life on earth; marine biology; reported that as much as 130,000 took new proposals to the meeting dependent and associated ecosys tonnes of toothfish worth of the convention in Hobart in tems. NZ$600m may have been taken October that could help CCAMLR The visit will also demonstrate from Antarctic waters in the past tackle the problem. New Zealand is international scientific collaboration two years contrary to the regula working hard to ensure that on the ice, throLtgh acquaintance tions of the convention. countries which are not parties to with the science, operations and "New Zealand is working the convention do not allow their logistics of the New Zealand, United closely with other parties to fishing vessels to undermine States and Italian Antarctic CCAMLR to strengthen the CCAMLR. programmes.

Vol 16 No. 3, 1998 - 99 Antarctic NEWS Giant Iceberg Born in Antarctica

Regular calving of large icebergs is a natural cycle of the ice shelves of Antarctic. But every now and then a berg of major proportions can capture attention. The British Antarctic Survey received a satellite image in October 1998 showing an iceberg of approximately 150kms by 35kms (about the size of Long Island, New York) has broken off the Ronne Ice Shelf in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica (at approx 77S 50W). In this region the front of the ice has retreated to its 1947 position. The Ronne Iceberg is four times the size of the last large iceberg to calve in the region which came from Larsen Ice Shelf. Dr C.S.M. Doake of the British Antarctic Survey says "We have been expecting this event for some time. Although ice shelves are retreating on the Antarctic Peninsula as a result of regional warming, we do not believe that this event is associated with climate change." BAS has a small depot on the iceberg but expects to be able to use it for normal air operations since the iceberg is large and stable. The satellite image was collected by the US NOAA The edge of the Ronne Iceberg, photgraphed in the Weddell Sea by 'weather satellite. weather satellite and received at the BAS station at Rothera in the Antarctic Peninsula. By analysing the pattern of forces within the ice shelf, he Dr Doake predicted in 1996 that this region of the ice found that the ice within about 60kms of the front was shelf was at risk and was likely to calve within a decade. vulnerable to calving.

Grim Year for Ice Accidents 1998 was a bad one for major Antarctic accidents. In December 1997 two Americans and an Austrian died in a skydive over the South Pole, says the Canadian newsletter 'The Seventh Continent'. They were part of a group of six experienced divers who had planned a four-way formation during the free fall. "Earlier reported plans had been for a 22-person jump but this was later downsized to a group of six. News reports following the accident speculated that

TVNZ's 60 Minutes team on the Ice with teacher Pauline Donaldson, reporter there would be plenty of second-guessing and this Cameron Bennett, cameraman Ken Dorman, LEARNZ coordinator Pete Sommerville could be the end of any future private expedition and producer David Lomas. skydiving in Antarctica. "In June 1998 a few news sources reported that five LEARNZ Website Popular RLtssians were killed and four seriously inJLired when LEARNZ coordinator Pete Sommerville has had great their MI-8 helicopter crashed minutes after taking off from a research vessel near the Russian success with his edLicational website . . . which has scored over 100,000 'hits' in a week. Novolazarevskaya base on the eastern side of Antarctica. The South Africa Antarctic expedition The Linking Education and Antarctic Research in New Zealand (LEARNZ) project began three years ago. In 1998 helped in the medical and transportation procedLires. Sommerville was back at Scott Base with Wanganui school "Most recently, in July 1998 an engine-room fire aboard Australia's sole research and supply vessel, teacher Pauline Donaldson delivering education resources Aurora Australis, ended what was planned to be the to New Zealand classrooms via the Internet first winter expedition to study the Mertz Polynya, an (hhtp:/learnz.icair.iac.org.nz) and audioconference calls. He then adapted the electronic field trip concept to the open 'warm' lake in the frozen Antarctic sea near the Nathaniel B Palmer cruise and after a recommendation in Mertz Glacier off the south-eastern part of East Newsweek magazine the web-site topped 100,000, reports Antarctica. Antarctica New Zealand. The fire started after the ninth day of a planned two- The SOE expects keen educational and public interest in month journey. The ship was disabled for three days the Iridium Ice Trek expedition and web site this summer. about 180km off the coast in loose ice.

Vol 16 No. 3, 1998-99 Antarctic NEWS Ancient Antarctic environments rocked by volcanic eruptions

scientific study of rock cores The thickest distinct layer of volcanic debris layers provide presently being drilled from volcanic debris is 1.2m thick, which important new evidence about the ». the bottom of the western SLiggests an eruption as dramatic as history and style of large volcanic Ross Sea, Antarctica, has unexpectedly that of Krakatau in 1883. eruptions in this portion of Antarctica. recovered the first evidence of large These layers contain volcanic The Science Foundation (NSF) is a volcanic eruptions that occurred in the pumice up to 1cm in size, which partner in the Cape Roberts project. area around 25 million years ago. suggests that the volcano was located Scott Borg, who heads the geology The evidence of this activity is within 50 to 100 kms of the drilling site and geophysics programme for NSF's contained in layers of volcanic debris Antarctic Science Section, said the rock that were erupted explosively into the cores, drilled from the sea floor off the atmosphere and then settled through Victoria Land coast near Cape Roberts, the air and the ocean onto the seafloor. show surprising evidence of enormous The thickness and coarseness of the volcanic eruptions. These eruptions main debris layer indicates a large are believed to have significantly volume eruption that generated an ash altered global temperatures at the cloud reaching 50 to 70 km into the time. stratosphere. ^ff&M "The discovery of the volcanic The discovery of these volcanic material is really quite exciting," says layers demonstrates a far more spec Borg. "It is clearly evidence of a major tacular history of volcanic activity than eruption, several times larger than was previoLisly suspected for the Ross Mount St Helens (in Washington State) Sea region of Antarctica, but is also and possibly comparable with the useful because it provides material for eruption that destroyed Pompeii." accurately dating the strata. Borg says that samples of the For the past two Antarctic field pumice fragments are being sent to be seasons, scientists from Australia, dated at New Mexico Tech, in Socorro, Britain, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, N.M., one of eight U.S. universities and the United States have been coring taking part in the Cape Roberts Project. the sea floor off the Victoria Land coast near Cape Roberts. First to the The Cape Roberts Project is designed to study the climatic and Millennium? geologic history of Antarctica during Who will be the first person to 'enter' the last 100 million years. the next millennium? Drilling this year had reached a depth of approximately 110m below and erupted in a style reminiscent of A Canadian newsletter 'The Seventh the seafloor when this unexpected Vesuvius. Continent' reports that a new book evidence of volcanic activity was The eruptions record in this core pinpoints the South Pole. encountered. probably had a significant impact, not Greg Wright of California suggests The layers of volcanic debris are only on the Antarctic environment, but that "no one could be closer to the action encased within muddy sands, indi also on the global environment of the than someone who is splayed out over cating a relatively quiet seafloor with time. Modern examples, such as the South Pole itself within the occasional weak currents before and Mount Pinatubo, a much smaller Amundsen-Scott station's geodesic dome after the eruptions. event, cooled world climate by 0.5 °C — perhaps stretching a bit in the The sands also contain scattered for a year after its 1991 eruption. direction of longitude 180°". stones dropped from floating icebergs The volcanic layers will be used by His proposal for the World calved from glaciers in the nearby Cape Roberts Project scientists to Millennium South Pole Sweepstakes is Trans-antarctic Mountains at this time. determine the age of their strata more for an international body such as the UN This relatively quiet seafloor envi accurately, because volcanic debris can to declare this spot 'ground zero', and for ronment, however, was disrupted at be dated precisely using isotopic tech it to organise a global competition for least twice and possibly as many as niques. people willing to travel to the South Pole four times, by large and rapid inputs of In addition, future coring in the area so that they could be officially declared volcanic debris (mostly pumice). The may encounter these volcanic layers in the first person in the world to see the debris was supplied by voluminous other drillholes, and they are distinc new millennium. eruptions from a nearby source, but tive levels that can be used to link From The Millennium — A Rough Guide to the exact location and characteristics of together strata of the same age. the Year 2000 — Nick Hanna (Rough Guides that soLirce are still unknown. The presence and thickness of these Ltd 1998).

Vol 16 No. 3, 1998-99 Antarctic NATIONAL PROGRAMMES

New Zealand Penguin Impostors to Ice Penguins at Cape Bird, Antarctica the new scheme was designed to leopard seals cruising among have had a couple of impostors in make Antarctica accessible, through icebergs," Higham said. He said the their midst. the arts, to people who will never scheme provided a unique interface Popular children's writer Margaret have the opportunity to visit. between the arts, science and the Mahy and landscape painter The artists will complete training in environment and should stimulate Margaret Elliott are taking penguin survival skills after arrival at Scott some fascinating creative works. suits to the research site on Ross Base, then fly by helicopter for a Last year poets Bill Manhire and Island, close to Scott Base. week's stay in a hut at Cape Bird with Chris Orsman and painter Nigel They were scheduled to fly to Scott research scientists. Brown were selected for the scheme Base in December as part of "The hut overlooks a colony of and had published a new collection of Antarctica New Zealand's Artists to 300,000 Adelie penguins and a bay poems and drawings even before Antarctica programme, a partnership which will have orca whales and leaving Antarctica. with Creative New Zealand. Margaret Mahy's penguin suit was obtained from the set of a film studio, Science Strategy is Evolving after being used to make a children's film about penguins. "I offered to New Zealand's Antarctic and some exciting insights into past take the biggest one and have worn it Southern Oceans science strategy is climate," she says. "In particular there at odd times since, just for fun," Mahy now building on the themes are indications of a snow and ice free said. Mahy, who works from her developed in the 1997 Antarctic coastal environment in McMurdo home on Banks Peninsula, will use Science Beyond 2000 workshop. Sound about 1.5 million years ago. the 10-day visit to the Cape Bird It focuses on key themes says "This new information has signifi colony to gain inspiration for a new Gillian Wratt, chief executive of cant implications in terms of series of animated children's scripts Antarctica New Zealand in the 1998 predicting potential impacts of future she is writing for Wellington film and annual report of the Christchurch climate change on ice sheets and television company The Gibson based organisation. Antarctica as a global sea levels." Group. global barometer, the Southern Consideration of future science "I'm also hoping for ideas for new Ocean. Antarctica and human directions has also fed into assess stories or ways to improve ones I've impacts, life in extreme environ ment of the logistics infrastructure already written," said Mahy, who has ments, and connections with New and facilities needed for the future, published over 150 stories to interna Zealand. says Wratt. tional acclaim. "There is a wealth of knowledge "The Ross Sea region provides a Painter Margaret Elliott works as a from over 40 years of New Zealand unique area to study climate change librarian in Wellington where she scientific involvement in the factors related to gradients in coastal occasionally wears her penguin suit Antarctic," says Wratt. "We believe it ecosystems through a latitudinal while reading stories to visiting is time to challenge the science range not found elsewhere on the children. "A library colleague bought community to do more to interpret continent." it for me at a garage sale after they existing knowledge and develop heard I'd been accepted for the proposals for the future within the scheme," she said. context of key questions about Elliott won the inaugural Lillian regional and global ecosystems. Ida Smith award in 1993 for her "The Southern Ocean has taken a broody oil paintings of landscapes higher profile than in the past. Recent around the Wellington coastline and illegal and unregulated fishing for Wanganui, where she grew up. Paragonian toothfish in the Southern A keen tramper, Elliott has recently Ocean south of South America, South focused her creative talent on experi Africa and Australia is cause for ences around Mount Ruapehu's concern in the region south of New crater in stormy conditions. "It Zealand. The Southern Ocean is also a opened my eyes to the possibilities of key regulator of climate and ocean painting in a white landscape, like circulation. Antarctic," she said. "The recovery of the first sediment Antarctica New Zealand communi cores from the Ross Sea floor in the cations manager Tim Higham said Cape Roberts Project has provided

Vol 16 No. 3, 1998-99 Antarctic NATIONAL PROGRAMMES Australia

New Website for Australia The icy world of Antarctica has stepped into the homes and class rooms of Australia (and the world) with a new Australian Antarctic Division Web site now live. In officially launching the site, the director of the Australian Antarctic Division, Dr. Tony Aurora Australis at anchor in Horseshoe Harbour, evening of 7/2/98. Press, highlighted the pre-eminent role of the Internet as a world wide medium for research, Aurora Australis Returns education, and entertainment. "With over 5000 pages of on after Midwinter Fire line information, it is essential that users can get to the pages they Australia's Antarctic flagship, RSV Information from the survey will want as quickly and as easily as Aurora Australis, is back on duty assist in developing future manage possible. after undergoing repairs following a ment strategies for sustainable krill "We have visits from students fire on the vessel during its historic harvesting. completing Antarctic projects; midwinter voyage in July. Sixteen researchers will carry out teachers preparing for the The ship departed Hobart in late the survey and capture world. The classroom; scientists preparing October to deploy expeditioners to group will conduct shipboard and and submitting research applica Australia's stations, together with the helicopter surveys while the vessel tions and a general public eager to annual re-supply of Davis station. travels through the pack-ice. find out more about this fasci Scientific activities programmed for A number of the seals will also nating part of the world," says Dr. the voyage include a major survey of have satellite linked time depth Press. Crabeater seals, as part of Australia's recorders attached to their backs to The launch of the new sight contribution to the International record their diving and feeding activ coincides with the staging of Antarctic Pack Ice Seals Project. ities. Online Australia Day, a Little is known about the pack-ice Similar surveys will be conducted Commonwealth Government seals which, as the name suggests, at the time of year by several nations initiative through the National live almost exclusively on the floating from various locations around the Office of Information Economy. ice of the Antarctic region. The Antarctic continent. Dr. Press says Australia is at the Crabeater seal is the most abundant The voyage will also be conchicling of the pack-ice seals, and feeds mainly a major changeover of station leading edge of Internet tech nology and organisations such as on krill. personnel, transporting over 100 the Australian Antarctic Division Greater knowledge of these researchers and support staff. A total are helping to consolidate animals is essential for understanding of 96 expeditioners will be returning Australia's position as an the predator-prey interactions of to the vessel, some of whom left innovator in information tech the Antarctic marine ecosystem. Hobart over 12 months aso. nology in general. The Division's new look web Davis Station Call Jettisoned site can be found at http://www.antdiv.gov.au Australia's 1998/99 AntarcticAntarctic disembarked at Davis. The Online Australia Day web-site can be found at: shipping season has suffered a The cancellation of the Davis further setback with heavy ice pack visit and the delayed return of the http:www/onlineAustralia.net.au conditions forcing the supply ship voyage will disrupt a number of MV Polar Bird to abandon attempts this season's science programmes. Polar Bird was temporarily to reach Davis station. Australia's Antarctic Division is replacing Australia's regular The ship went on to Casey station examining options to undertake icebreaker RSV Aurora Australis before returning to Hobart. A total some of the Davis programmes at which was incapacitated by an of 31 expeditioners were to have Casey. engine room fire in July.

Vol 16 No. 3, 1998-99 Antarctic NATIONAL PROGRAMMES Great Britain Bransfield has Exciting 'Summer' Cruise Weather has played an exciting part of the RRS Bransfield's early summer cruise to South Georgia, Bird Island and to Halley Base. The ship had sailed 8958.9 nautical miles from Grimsby (sailing 17 October, 1998) when "ANTARCTIC" logged this report on 29 November: "Following our Arrival at Signy Island last Sunday evening, the Bransfield spent three days at anchor whilst discharging the fuel and cargo required for the base. All personnel had the opportunity to get ashore and visit some of the many spectacular sight and see, in many cases for the first time, the wonders of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic wild-life. RRS Bransfield, which is making a summer cruise to Halley Base. "An ITN team managed to get some excellent footage and came Falkland ^! Islands away happy. Bird Island "The weather whilst at Signy was brilliant, with clear skies and fairly low winds, most unlike the usual South Georgia 'mank' that one expects from there '- Cape Horn (cloud at ground level, strong winds, rain, snow and sleet)." Signy South The Bransfield departed Signy on Sandwich Islands Wednesday, 25 November, and set ^ S o u t h sail for Bird Island and South South Orkney Georgia. "The Passage was not as Shetland^/3* smooth as on the journey south and Islands »' • , Islands those not used to life at sea learned Damoy. that it is not always as enjoyable as it had been so far." The ship arrived at Bird Island on 27 November and Rothera^. * - \ personnel were transferred ashore in Weddell Sea the ship's inflatable boats which is Alexander described as "an experience in itself." \ Island C There were some eight 'Tula' (the ship's cargo tender) runs of cargo to be taken to the base, including one hundred 45 gallon drums of fuel oil, all of which had to be man-handled Fossil Halley, Lip to the beach from the small jetty. Bluff , "One of the problems at this time of the year is the abundance of not so friendly male fur seals that are now gathering to mate on the beach. However, due to a large sea swell it has not bee possible to get the Tula into the water and commence." says Bransfield. "During our initial day at anchor in Bird SoLind the three over-wintering South staff from the base came out to the Continued on page 57

Vol 16 No. 3, 1998- 99 Antarctic NATIONAL PROGRAMMES

Continued from page 56 the night, rolling all the way!" there is a very good museum) and ship to have their teeth checked out "Saturday evening, at about 1930z, perhaps also one of the other whaling by our resident dentist, Wendy Scott. the winterers were returned to the stations at Stromness of Husvik. Following this the winterers were base, but due to the size of the swell There was the possibility of invited to stay for dinner in the we were still unable to get the cargo Bransfield meeting up with the HMS Officer's Mess and by the time they ashore." Endurance on her way to South had finished, the weather had deteri At the time of this update the sea Georgia, and in the process collect orated and they had to remain on swell was not low enough for mail that had arrived since the ship board overnight. Bransfield to deploy 'Tula' and set sail. "At about 0230z the wind had commence the cargo operations. The Once all operations are completes picked up to about 50 knots and the ship waited for a 'weather window' to the Bransfield was to make for Halley. anchor had started to drag, so the get the favourable conditions required. Indications were that the pack ice was Chief Officer and the crew were Once Bransfield completed the starting to break up, and time would awoken and the anchor hauled in and discharge of the cargo at Bird Island, tell just how it was to be going on the the Bransfield proceeded to sea for it hoped to visit Grytviken (where way to the ice shelf. New results from the Earth's barometer The height of the Earth's upper atmos This latest discovery was made from term studies into the ionosphere to phere (the thermosphere) has fallen by 8 analysis of over 600,000 film records of gain a better understanding of its basic kilometres in 38 years, according to a echo-sounding signatures collected by physics. These have implications for paper published in the Journal of scientists from BAS and the Rutherford studying space weather events Geophysical Research. Appleton Laboratory. including sun storms that have an The long-term decrease in altitude Atmospheric pressure controls the impact on global telecommunications, appears to match predicted human- altitude of the ionosphere. As the ther navigation and power systems. induced changes to the atmosphere mosphere cools, the pressure drops, The ionosphere is the region of the resulting from increased greenhouse consequently lowering the level of the Earth's atmosphere extending above gases. ionosphere. The ionosphere is, in effect, 70km altitude. This latest discovery by scientists the Earth's high altitude barometer. The ultra-violet component of from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Dr Martin Jarvis says, "the 8km drop sunlight ionises a significant fraction of suggests that while the lower atmos in altitude is not in itself harmful to the atoms and molecules present. The phere is warming the upper atmos people. It is, however, another warning region was first discovered when phere is cooling. The BAS findings give signal about what changes to the atmos scientists found that ionisation causes global significance to similar effects phere can be caused by human impact. the reflection of radio waves. observed recently over Europe by other Measurements taken by our European Scientists studying the ionosphere researchers. colleagues suggested there may be a split it into three regions: D around 70- The thermosphere (300km above the drop in altitude but these results from 95 km above the Earth; E — 95-180 km Earth) is the region where all satellites Antarctica confirm that it is indeed a and F — above 180 km. [The ozone orbit the Earth. It is the hottest, windiest global effect. layer peaks around 20 km altitude]. part of the Earth's environmental Scientists have predicted an increase envelope with temperatures changing in the surface temperature of around 2° dramatically in the course of a day. if carbon dioxide and methane levels Whilst at ground level temperature 'The thermosphere double. changes are relatively small, in the ther Carbon dioxide is a strong radiator mosphere they are up to 100 times provides an ideal of infra-red. At ground level this helps greater. Scientists can, therefore, use the to give it its 'greenhouse' properties, region as a sensitive 'litmus paper' for but in the upper atmosphere the detecting global change. place to study radiation is lost to space and so the air The ionosphere, which is a layer cools. within the thermosphere, is one of the global changes/ The temperature of the thermos least explored and least understood phere, at 300 km above the Earth, is parts of the Earth's atmosphere. Since "We know that the thermosphere predicted to drop by as much as 50°C if 1958 BAS researchers have monitored provides an ideal place to study global methane and carbon dioxide levels changes in the upper atmosphere by changes. Whilst global temperature continue to increase as predicted by using the ionosphere as a 'tracer'. increases are relatively small on the international scientists. Radio wave pulses are bounced off ground, the volatile environment of The paper, Southern Hemisphere the ionosphere from study sites on the the upper atmosphere makes those observations of a long-term decrease in Antarctic Peninsula and the Falkland same changes much easier to detect." F-region altitude and thermospheric Islands. The technique is similar to the The ionosphere is one of the least wind providing possible evidence of way a ship's echo-sounder can bounce explored and least understood parts of global thermosphere cooling' is sound waves off the sea-bed to measure the Earth's atmosphere. British published in the Journal of depth. Antarctic Survey has conducted long- Geophysical Research. Vol 16 No. 3, 1998-99 57 Antarctic FEATURE Iridium Ice Trek A Long Awaited Journey

j

Working up to the expedition zvith Quadrifoil training ... Peter Hillary on the Annette Plateau, Mount Cook, National Park, New Zealand.

By Warren Head set out in November 1998 on one of the longest unsup ported polar treks. They deployed the traditional methods of laying Iridium Ice Trek — is being undertaken this depots of food and fuel along the pole-ward leg, One of Southern the last Hemisphere great polar summer journeys by — three the collecting these provisions (and their own human waste) explorers following in the footsteps of Capt. Robert on the homeward route. Falcon Scott. Unlike Scott's expedition, Hillary's expedition has the Attempted by Scott in 1911-12, and grimly ending in benefit of 90 years of scientific advances. Their apparel immortalised tragedy, the 100 day journey of 2804kms manufactLired in Christchurch, New Zealand, and their of Antarctica from Scott Base to the South Pole and back equipment ranks among the best in the world. On skis covers some of the most challenging terrain on the they towed 170kg sleds of the most superb engineering planet. and their speed over the icecap was assisted by specially The New Zealander Peter Hillary, son of the famous designed traction Quadrifoil kites. Ed Hillary, and Australians Eric Phillips and Jon Muir These steerable kites help the team maintain a daily schedule of 28kms, an average rarely achieved. In 1995 Phillips used a Quadrifoil on his crossing of Greenland, kite-sailing almost half the distance. Unlike Scott they are in daily contact, Hillary and his men using Kyocera mobile telephones linked to the new global telephone system, Iridium, a breakthrough in modern science that passes signals between 66 low-orbit space satellites. Iridium Ice Trek is the first expedition to communicate via cell-phone from the Ice to the outside world. The under 500gms phones operating on lithium-ion batteries recharged by solar panels enable the expedition to talk to media and via the Internet. The Iridium Ice Trek's safety in the hostility of the Antarctic is protected too by the presence of two TAT three beacons each powered sufficiently to last two to three months. On the half-hour data about the group's position and temperature on location is beamed via satellite to the earth station at the Australian Antarctic Station Casey, and sent to Melbourne. An emergency signal can also be transmitted to launch a rescue if needed. Peter Hillary using the nciv Kyocera mobile phone linked to Iridium. The team are carrying both a Codan HF radio (capable

58 Vol 16 No. 3, 1998-99 Antarctic FEATURE of thousands of kms of transmission distance to Scott Base) and a ground- to-air VHF radio for use in the event of a search and rescue mission. Hillary describes the Iridium Ice Trek as his "journey of journeys". It was from the same hut that 90 years ago Captain Scott and his team departed on their fateful journey to the South Pole. "Instead of ponies or huskies we will have Quadrifoil kites to harness the Antarctic winds to speed us across the ice." Hillary says modern technology changes the complexion of the otherwise old-style 3000kms journey but today satellite phones, aerofoils, rotamoulded plastic sleds and sophisticated protective down gear are the reality. "Completing Scott's journey is Peter Hillary, /on Muir and Eric Phillips training for the Iridium lee Trek. something I have wanted to do for a long time," says Hillary. "I was three when my father returned from his polar expedi tion. Over the years, I have been entranced by the stories of the great white landscapes and the tremendous camaraderie that the harshness of the environment engenders." "We're a few individuals with a bundle of food and we are manhauling our sleds," he told an audience at Canterbury Museum prior to departure. He says adventure is a compulsion. One of three children, he recalled the apprehension prior to family holidays spent skiing at Queenstown in winter and climbing in Nepal in the summer. He says, like his father, that if there is nothing ventured there is nothing gained. Life is full of uncertainty to be overcome. Recalling a day when he was in a group flying from Resolute Bay 73N to the North Pole, the aircraft had to land on moving sea ice of variable thickness. That day he stood at 90N with Ed Hillary and Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong "at the top of the world." After an eight and a half hour flight from South America to Blair "and no going back" he climbed the 16,000ft Mt Vincent "for what was then the most profound Antarctic experience of my life." "James Strong, the CEO of QANTAS, was there that day. We'd hauled sleds up glaciers and battled an 8-day storm in a tiny tent and to climb Mt Vincent was an incredibly moving experience. It was so silent I could hear a helicopter . . . only it was actually my heartbeat! I'm looking forward to the silence on the Ice Trek." Hillary thinks this is maybe why people he has guided on climbs like Strong and lu.dHvRntorTiQm. \ Australian entrepreneur Dick Smith seek Eric Phillips training with a Quadrifoil and a fully laden sled.

Vol 16 No. 3, 1998-99 59 Antarctic FEATURE if you over-exert you can hurt a tendon and if too pushy you don't get back . . ." The clothing for the team is supplied by New Zealand outdoor company Arthur Ellis whose Fairydown range has clothing combinations for walking or skiing in a wide range of temperatures. The combinations cover: * South Pole • 0°C to -15°C with sunshine and no wind. Thermal top, light fleece jumper, thermal longjohns, Gore-Tex overpants. Shackleton Glacier • 0°C to -15°C overcast and windy Thermal top, Gore- Tex jacket, thermal longjohns, Gore-Tex overpants, Antarctic fleece hat, fleece gloves. • -15°C to -30°C Thermal top, light fleece jumper, Plateau jacket with hood, thermal pants, fleece pants, overpants, thermal gloves, fleece and Gore-Tex mittens, goggles, neck gaiter. Ross Ice • -30°C to -45°C. Thermal top, light fleece jumper, Shelf down jacket with hood, thermal pants, down pants, Scott Base overpants, fleece hat, thermal gloves, foam polar mitten, goggles, face mask. • -30°C to -45°C with strong wind or -50°C below Thermal top, light fleece jumper, Gore-tex jacket with out remote places. "Why do people like that choose to hood, down jacket with hood, down vest, thermal go and live for days in a tiny tent, clamber up pants, fleece pants, down pants, overpants, fleece pyramids, defy storms, climb the highest peaks? hat, thermal gloves, fleece gloves, foam polar "Having pushed yourself, it is the experience that is mittens, goggles, face mask, neck gaiter. the most powerful and the most memorable. I'm a Like Ousland the team are skiing under kite-power as great believer that you have to push yourself to make far as possible. it worthwhile, and the Iridium Ice Trek is all about As human pack-horses, the team carry light items going harder and going further." such as sleeping bags and mats in a rucksack adapted Hillary is very conscious that the Iridium Ice Trek for towing sleds. The Ice Trek harness was developed by will go past the pace where the Scott expedition Eric Phillips on polar expeditions. ground to a halt. "The images of human endeavour are Sled poles are attached to the waist belt using plastic emblazoned on my mind." buckles which can be easily operated wearing polar On the wall of his father's study is a picture of Sir mittens. Adjustable shoulder straps are attached to the Edmund's own South Pole team in 1957. It is captioned poles by plastic buckles, allowing for quick separation "The Old Firm". Peter says he knows what is behind between skier and sled in event of a emergency. those words. Struggle, teamwork, uncertainty, sticking The special harness can be used in sledding, skiing or together. Moments of desperation and moments of sitting. When kiting a strong alloy bar fitted to the front laughter. of the waist belt is connected to the kite through a link- He expected to experience the same emotions as the line like a wind-surfing harness. Associated with a Iridium Ice Trek made the first ascent of the pulley wheel, the link-line reduces strain on the arms Shackleton Glacier en route to the Titan Dome and on and removable, adjustable leg-loops attached by plastic to the Pole. Behind the expedition lies meticu lous planning and a wide group of people who have worked long and hard to get the expedition under way. Eric Phillips and Hillary worked for one and a half years setting up the logistics and arranging equipment. The team provisioned for a 100 day trek and each explorer piled on the weight by over-eating at the outset. Hillary notes that the Norwegian Borge Ousland (who completed a solo crossing of Antarctica in the summer of 1997-98 in 60 days) was on a 6200 calorie diet and shed 17kgs to arrive at i Scott Base in excellent physical shape. "You have to nurse yourself but still push yourself," says Hillary. "You have to push to make the distance but PeterPeter Hillary Hillary trtrys out the Fairydown sleeping bag he is using on the Iridium Ice Trek.. (Courtesy The Press)

Vol 16 No. 3, 1998 - 99 Antarctic FEATURE buckle to the waist belt reduce the drag on the lower back by cradling the lower torso, bottom and upper legs. The team trialled the kite technique at Mt Cook in New Zealand's Southern Alps but Hillary concedes that he also released a kite on Auckland's One Tree Hill. "It shot 30m in the air and hit a pohutakawa tree and (my first impres sion was of) an enormous force on my BBI^. *5 arms." ^^^^ •?*** ^^^^H Practice made perfect and before the ■ '"ItaS trek began Hillary could easily accel erate the rate of a turn. "You can do complete rolls and rotations and you can tack with them." ^• l%m ^r^^l The expedition had to juggle the quantities of fuel needed for cooking, warmth and drying of clothing above - ^ ■ - . , - ' the cooking area. An unleaded Shell white spirits is allocated at the rate of Eric Phillips pulling an expedition sled. 0.2 litres per person daily sufficient to heat hot drinks. The expedition's Fairydown sleeping bags come with a liner which acts as a vapour barrier " because in very cold temperatures the body temperature will be insufficient to drive through the bag and if we're not warm at night we won't be successful .

For recording the trek, the expedi tion carries both a digital camera, single lens reflex and pocket cameras. The expedition hoped to do lOOkms a day and would be helped on the way back from the Pole by tail-winds. In high winds the kites could propel the skiers at a very rapid rate and falling over would be akin to being dragged behind a car. Three different kite configurations have been taken to handle a range of weather conditions. The first big milestone, reached a week before will weight 120kgs and, tongue-in-cheek, Hillary says: Christmas, was the Shackleton Glacier in the Trans "We will evacuate everything!" antarctic Mountains a 132km long river of ice. Beyond "It is all about leaving this special place the way we the glacier was 488kms across the continental plateau to found it. Footprints will vanish under snow of the Ice's the South Pole. windstorms. Although the Scott-Amundsen Base at the South Pole (When Peter Hillary scaled Everest many years after is a modern station, the team could not accept food, his father's historic climb in 1953 he says jokingly "I equipment or accommodation. A sip of tea would had a thoroughly good look around and I couldn't see render the expedition a supported journey. Dad's footprints anywhere!") From the Pole the trio retrace their steps 1402kms "Today it is hard to find Everest base camp because back to the coast, the powerful Antarctic winds at their it has been cleaned up. In Antarctica we will leave only backs. our ski tracks. It is a privilege to go there where so few The Iridium Ice Trek team are sensitive to their high people go." profile and they are abiding by a commitment to "We want to focus on Scott's journey and our expe remove their rubbish as they go, including human rience of getting to the South Pole and all the way back waste. Over 3000kms this is a challenge. The idea of is going to be a very powerful experience. retaining the 'extra' weight on a continuous basis isn't "I hope that the Iridium Ice Trek will be an event an attractive one. It has been decided to leave it behind from which stories will flow to tell people about it and and pick it up on the return leg, giving an entirely new the lure of the frozen continent and why it is so definition to the term 'frozen wastes'. By Trek-end it important to us."

Vol 16 No. 3, 1998-99 Antarctic SCIENCE NOTES Ozone Hole Largest on Record The 1998 Antarctic ozone hole was unusually large, formed very early and lasted until December. According to preliminary NASA satellite data it is now the largest on record, covering more than 27 million square kilometres, around 5% larger than the previous record set in 1996. Like the 1996 ozone hole, it developed much more rapidly in late AugList and early September than other years. However, this year the ozone hole has remained stable for longer and is now 20-25% larger than the 1996 ozone hole was on this date. maximum in early spring, typically around 350 DU. Dr NIWA scientist Dr Stephen Wood says that ozone levels Brian Connor of NIWA said that this year's ozone values at Arrival Heights were consistently low in mid September, over New Zealand have been similar to other recent years, because the size and stability of the vortex kept Arrival about 5-6% lower in late winter than was normal in the late Heights well within the ozone hole. The measurement of 70s and early 80s. This is in contrast to last year when a 139 Dobson Units (DU) on 22 September was the same combination of factors, including the long-term decline in amount for that time of the year in eleven years of observa global ozone, resulted in record low seasonal values. tions. NIWA research into the processes that control the Ozone levels there rose to 190 DU over that weekend as amount of ozone is supported by the New Zealand the vortex edge moved closer to Arrival Heights, but then Foundation for Research, Science and Technology and fell again. The lowest value of ozone ever recorded at Antarctica New Zealand. It involves measurements and Arrival Heights was 129 DU in October 1995. Given the mathematical modelling of ozone and a range of trace gases way the 1998 hole is developing this record could well be in the stratosphere, both in Antarctica and at Lauder in broken this year. Central Otago. Most of Antarctica remains under a pool of air with Understanding the interplay between ozone depletion temperature below -80°C, cold enough for the formation of chemistry and atmospheric circulation is important if we polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs). are able to better predict year-to-year fluctuations in the Chemistry on the surfaces of the cloud particles greatly severity of the Antarctic ozone hole and its effects on enhances the effectiveness of chlorine from CFCs in Antarctica and the rest of the southern hemisphere. destroying ozone. Dr Connor says the annual cycle of the ozone hole has NASA satellite measurements show that the minimum been longer and deeper than in any other year. "It was still value of ozone over the Antarctic dropped below 100 DU, very much intact at the end of November — it varies in time close to the all time low of 88 DU measured in 1994. of breaking up but has never lasted beyond the first week of Ozone values in New Zealand reach an annual December." Cold Desert in Trans-antarctic Cold desert soils of the Trans antarctic Mountains provide one of the least hospitable environments for colonisation and occupation by life forms on earth. Soil properties, which include course textures, very low tempera tures, severe aridity and high salinity levels severely constrain the develop ment of biological communities. The Trans-antarctic Mountains environ ment however, is not uniform and provides a variety of conditions at macro and micro scales for biological systems, I.B. Campbell and G.C.C. Claridge of Land and Soil Consultancy Services reported at the 1998 VII SCAR international Biology Symposium in Christchurch. Iain Campbell sampling at a soil site in the Trans-antarctic Mountains Continued on page 63

62 Vol 16 No. 3, 1998-99 Antarctic SCIENCE NOTES

Continued from page 62 At the macro scale, broad soil environment differences, reflecting soil temperature regime and soil moisture availability, were earlier recognised (Campbell and Claridge 1969). In more recent work (Campbell et al. 1998) soil tempera tures, soil moisture contents and permafrost depths have been measured and these allow more accurate definitions of soil ecological environments. The most favourable soil environ ments are in coastal regions where soil moisture contents and thawing depths are greatest. With increasing distance inland and with increasing altitude in the lain Campbell, Graham Claridge and Megan Balks sampling soil and permafrost for measurement of water contents. Trans-antarctic Mountains, available At the micro scale, soil moisture characteristics, are essentially a soil moisture, soil temperatures and values and soil temperatures are function of available energy and are thawing depths diminish. strongly influences by local features typified by albedo values which vary Under the more extreme climatic including the persistence of moisture greatly from site to site. conditions found, soil moisture supplying snow patches, aspect, The water loss from moistened soil values are less than 1 % (gravimetric) wind exposure and surface charac is rapid and moisture recharged after thawing temperatures are less than teristics including roughness and snowfall may disappear within 10 cm. colour. hours to a few days. In the coastal regions, surface and Soil temperature and moisture Variation in soil moisture content near surface soil temperatures typically remain above freezing The Winter Migration of Adelie Penguins throughout the summer and pass through very few freeze thaw cycles. Inland and at higher altitudes, air temperatures are colder and the soil surface horizons experience a greater number of summer freeze and thaw cycles. Soil salinity and soil salt contents strongly reflect the precipitation and evaporation environment as well as the soil age.

Lloyd Davis zvith an Adelie penguin. W ■■ ' ■ f'i-W'Tying in an experiment to test means Locations were obtained using the of long-term attachment of external Argos satellite system and compared devices to penguins, satellite with the migratory paths taken by telemetry has been used by two penguins from the Northern Australian and New Zealand scien colony at Cape Bird, Ross Island tists to monitor the migratory (77.22 S, 166.48 E) following the ?v movements of a single Adelie 1990/91 breeding season. penguin from Cape Hallett (72.31 S, The migratory paths of all three The permafrost table is around 15 cm deep in this 170.21 E) following the 1997/98 penguins show a remarkable similarity illustration of the 'cold desert'. breeding season. Continued on page 64

Vol 16 No. 3, 1998-99 63 Antarctic SCIENCE NOTES 50 Years of "Met" Records from Macquarie Island

reported at the VII SCAR regressed with meteorological obser Theterrestrial effect for biota climate at high change latitudes of International Biology Symposium in vations collected during the same will most likely be profound within Christchurch. Here where current time frame. the vicinity of regional margins say climatic conditions are limiting to The climate of the AWS sites along CE. Tweedie and D.M. Bergstom, biota, climate change will probably the altitudinal/temperature gradient Dept. Of Botany, University of alter plant and ecosystem function for the last 50 years has then been Queensland, Australia. and plant community composition. reconstructed and the future climates One such important margin is the "Our studies on Macquarie Island art the sites are forecast using the Antarctic Polar Front with the are currently trying to predict these ARIMA time series analysis. adjacent Subantarctic islands they like effects," they add. "We present a Using the analogy of an altitudinal statistically valid, biologically gradient being akin to a temperature relevant and predictive climate gradient, temperature differences The Winter Migration change analysis of the Macquarie between sites along the altitudinal of Adelie Penguins Island region which aims to improve gradient are then converted to years the predictive power of our studies." using the forecast rate of climate Continued from page 65 Fifty years of meteorological data warming calculated for the island. have been analysed using a ARIMA This study hopes to serve as a foun reported Lloyd S. Davis and Carey J.A. Bradshaw of the Department of time series analysis and forecasts are dation to ongoing studies of terres made. Fourteen months data from trial ecosystem structure and function Zoology at the University of Otago and Robert Harcout of the Graduate four automatic weather stations on Macquarie Island and may allow School of the Environment at (AWS's) positioned along a 400 masl for predicted changes in ecosystem altitudinal gradient on the east coast Macquarie University in Sydney at processes with climate change to be the VII SCAR International Biology of Macer Island has then been quantified. Symposium. This suggests the possi bility of a common overwinter feeding ground west of the Balleny Study of Southern Ocean Islands for Adelie penguins breeding in the Ross Sea. Ecosystems "If our small sample sizes were to represent the norm, this would mean This summer scientists from the processes which control the dynamics that Adelie penguins breeding at 77 S University of Liege, Belgium, are and the variability of the global on Ross Island would travel more making a multidisciplinary study of ecosystems of the Southern Ocean. than twice the distance during their the biodiversity and productivity of The biological module of this model overwinter migration than those the global ecosystem of the Southern will be primarily centered on the penguins form Cape Hallet and Ocean in a context of variation of the zooplankton, in particular the krill colonies further North. environmental and climatic condi and the higher predators, but will "Given the high energetic costs tions. take into account phytoplanktonic associated with swimming, it seems It develops an approach based on variables limiting the feeding of the reasonable to conclude that the costs the analysis of sub-ecosystems at herbivores, of migration will be considerably specific time and space scales and on In a second step, the coupled 3D higher for those birds travelling from the interconnection of these systems model will be applied to the evalua Ross Island. by means of a proper modelling. tion of the response of this ecosystem "Overwinter survival is the single- The studied sub-ecosystems are: according to various scenarios of most important factor affecting the 1. The planktonic ecosystem, which is forcing taking into account of natural life expectancy of adult Adelie the target of the study of the processes factors as well as anthropogenic. penguins and we predict that, as a relating to biodiversity, dynamics and These goals are pursued within the consequence of the higher costs of phyto-zooplankton interactions. framework of an international migration, penguins breeding on programme on the global ecosystem Ross Island will experience lower 2. The pelagic ecosystem in the Ross of the Southern Ocean in the Ross Sea overwinter survival rates than Sea, with which is associated the in collaboration with the Italian penguins breeding at lower latitudes. macro zooplankton and in particular National Research Programme on the "Further, we predict that this will the krill. Antarctic (PNRA) and, in particular, impact on the life history strategies of during campaigns in the Ross Sea Ross Island penguins, such that they 3. The ecosystem of the higher trophic planned for 1997-98 and 1998-99. will: levels: the Southern Ocean over a The research team composes Dr. (I) breed at a younger age century Jean-Henri Hecq and Prof. Vincent (ii) exhibit lower mate fidelity with Demoulin of the University of Liege higher levels of cuckoldry and mate They are seeking to validate a 3D with Dr. George Pichot carrying out switching and numerical model integrating the the physical modelling. (iii) exhibit lower nest-site fidelity. whole of the physical and biological Continued on page 65

64 Vol 16 No. 3, 1998-99 Antarctic SCIENCE NOTES Continued from page 64 Major drilling by Belgian scientists Humpback Whales in in Greenland and in the Antarctic are aimed at a better understanding, not only of the history of the total climate the Antarctic but the evolution of the ice caps and the variations of the sea level. With Systematic sightings surveys of H u m p b a c k W h a l e project EPICA, the European the Japanese Whale Research Community aims to provide a funda Programme in the Antarctic 12000 mental contribution to these (JARPA) have been conducted 8000 problems assisted by two major since 1989/90 to obtain infor drillings in Antarctica. mation on the distribution and 4000 Major drilling at Dronning Maud density of whale population in Land will make it possible to examine the waters south of 60 S 0 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 the relationship of climate-ice cap-sea latitude and between 70 E -170 level, especially in the Atlantic sector. W longitude Japanese scientists A r e a I V y e a r Source: Cetacean Institute and the Marine Ecology Research Institute. Tokyo. The Atlantic sector is significant by disclosed at the VII SCAR because of the fast and radical varia International Biology Symposium tions observed in the northern part in Christchurch. Humpback Whale (Summit, Greenland) and by its Humpback whales were 6000 relevance for Europe. widely distributes throughout In order to forge a coherent idea of the research areas except Prydz 4000 the history of the climate and physical Bay and the southern part of 2000 environment, it is necessary to the Ross Sea reported associate the direct data resulting Shigetoshi Nishiwaki of the 0 from drilling, on the one hand, with Institute of Cetacean Research 1989 1991 1993 1995 in Tokyo and Fujio Kasamatsu Area V year atmospheric circulation and, on the other hand, the dynamics of the ice of the Marine Ecology Research Source. Cetacean Institute and the Marine Ecology Research Institute. Tokyo. cap, according to Prof. Hugo Declair Institute, Tokyo. of Brussels University. Apparent expansion of humpback estimates were indicated by an This research project primarily whale habitat in the research areas increase of humpback whale aims at providing a contribution to was suggested during 1989/90 and numbers in the research areas. this last aspect of project EPICA using 1995/96. Abundance of humpback However, these results were not numerical modelling and data acqui whales were estimated by the line always statistically significant. The sition by remote sensing as well as transect method. The most recent results correspond to the increase in suitable ground observations. estimates of abundance were 8,415 numbers of humpback whales in the Probing with seismic-reflection is whales (coefficient of variation, breeding grounds off western being undertaken by Prof. Marc be C.V.=0.327) in the waters 70 E (area Australia. Batist and Dr. Jean Pierre Henriet of IV see graphic) and 4,143 whales The results of these surveys Gent University. The relationship (C.V.=0.158) in the waters between confirm the recent recovery of between the dynamics of the ice cap 130 E-170W (area V see graphic) humpback whale populations in and the processes of sedimentary Yearly fluctuations in abundance these areas. deposition and remobilisation on the continental slope is being studied. The study aims at exploiting in an Canada ♦ optimal way seismic-reflection using large-band sources, like the "sparkers", which were used success Funding of Canada's Polar Science is Challenged fully within the framework of the studies carried out on the large lakes Canadian polar research received a "Australia, despite its geographic and more recently also on the frosty blast in a recent opinion article position in tropic seas, spends $2.30 European continental terraces. in Toronto's Globe and Mail, entitled per capita on Antarctic research. The technique of seismic-reflection "The Meltdown in Canada's Polar Indeed, our country is already able — in polar water — preserves the Research". becoming increasingly reliant on infor optimal characteristics of broad band Two professors at the University of mation gathered by other nations for as well as a maximum signal-to-noise Guelph made the comment that formulating our northern policies. ratio in the useful bandwidth. "Canada's financial commitment to "Unless reversed, the current star To this end, it is necessary to trail polar science — 20 cents per capita — vation of polar research can only effec one of the components of the seismic compares very poorly with that of tively end scientific endeavour in the system some 300m under the surface other nations that have a lesser stake in North, undermine our scientific credi of the water, in combination with a the Arctic. The US spends about $3 per bility and indicate a cavalier attitude surface "streamer" when the atmos capita on polar studies, more if expen toward our global obligations." — 'The pheric conditions allow it. ditures on infrastructure are counted. Seventh Continent'. Vol 16 No. 3, 1998-99 65 Antarctic EDUCATION Antarctic Study Course Starts The University of Canterbury has now Programme Co-ordinator launched its new graduate certificate in Professor John Hay Antarctic studies after six months Woodward-Clyde Professor of Environment Science planning work with Antarctica New Zealand, and an advisory network University of Auckland drawn from all NZ universities and Originally a science graduate of the University of Canterbury, John's distinguished academic career has other national and international focused on bringing an interdisciplinary approach to the agencies. environmental sciences. As well as establishing post- The intensive 12 week programme will bring a rigorous interdisciplinary gradLiate programmes in environmental science at the University of Auckland, John has worked in a consul approach to research questions and tancy role for the United Nations Environment contemporary issues. It will involve seven weeks at Canterbury University Programme, the Asian Development Bank, and throughout the Pacific for the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme. and Scott Base followed by a significant supervised project. Associate Programme Co-ordinator The course co-ordinators are John Dr Brian Stewart Hay, currently Woodward-Clyde Lecturer in Marine Science Professor of Environmental Science at Auckland University, and Dr Brian University of Otago Since graduating with a BSc from the University of Stewart, lecturer in marine biology at Canterbury, Brian has pursued research interests in Otago University. Dr Gary Steel of marine sciences at the University of Otago. A varied Lincoln University, a psychologist, and Dr Margaret Bradshaw, a geologist, background, including positions as a high school science head of department and port company environment will contribute to a research-oriented officer, equip Brian to make a significant contribution to programme at Scott Base. the intensive, team learning environment of the graduate Study awards to assist students meet certificate. Brian won a grant to travel to Antarctica in 1995 to complete a five- the $4000 fee are being offered by week course on Biological Adaptations of Antarctic Marine Organisms at Natural History NZ Ltd, Lyttelton Port McMurdo Station. Company and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Woodward-Clyde and Telecom are meeting some of the Antarctic science to our under research, seminar and industry costs associated with teaching the standing of global issues; presentations and critical reflection programme. have an in-depth knowledge of and debate. The certificate is aimed at university contemporary research activity in The graduate certificate comprises graduates requiring further study and the Antarctic and Southern Ocean four courses. Enrolment in ANTA 502 professionals able to make significant and the major questions being field work is subject to a successful contribution in Antarctic-related fields. addressed; medical examination as prescribed by The graduate certificate is aimed at: have an understanding of the Antarctica New Zealand. Admission to Students who have qualified for a contributions that the social sciences ANTA 503 special topic is restricted to degree and wish to broaden their and humanities can make and are students who are not admitted to understanding of Antarctic related making to our understanding of ANTA 502 field work on medical matters. Antarctica and human behaviour in grounds. Professors who are working or plan extreme environments; to work in positions or organisations be able to critically discuss the ANTA 501 — Antarctica where their contribution would be major scientific, environmental, Contemporary Themes and Issues enhanced from this programme. social and political issues in relation A critical examination of the major The goal of the graduate certificate in to the Antarctic and the Southern scientific, environmental, social and Antarctic Studies is to engage partici Ocean; political themes and contemporary pants in a critical examination of the have been exposed to the Antarctic issues facing Antarctica and the contemporary scientific, environ research and operating environ Southern Ocean. This course will be mental, social and policy issues and ment through participation in the taught as an intensive summer school, debates facing the region. Scott Base programme and working and will include lectures, workshops, It is expected that by the end of the environment, and have gained seminars and syndicate work. certificate programme participants will: insight into their own responses to • develop an overview of New living and working in extreme envi ANTA 502 — Field Work Zealand's involvement in the ronments; This course is a 7-10 day field trip to Antarctic and Southern Ocean and have developed skills in group and Scott Base with individual work on the contribution being made by team work, self directed learning, Continued on page 67

Vol 16 No. 3, 1998- 99 Antarctic EDUCATION Continued from page 66 return. Students will complete Antarctic field training, participate in base activities and undertake super vised research projects.

ANTA 503 — Special Topic Negotiated project, the subject of which is negotiated between the student and the programme co ordinator. Note: This course is available only to students who, as a result of the medical assessment, are not permitted to enrol in ANTA 502.

ANTA 504 — Supervised Project A major project on an approved topic of relevance to the student's academic and/or professional interests. This course is to be completed The Antarctic library collection is now on level 7 of the Central Library (above) of the University of following the summer school. Canterbury in Christchurch. Supervision can be provided using communication technology. Antarctic Library Additional Teaching Staff Summer School Collection Relocates Assoc Prof Bill Davison, University of Canterbury The Antarctic library collection previ on Level 7 of the Central Library Assoc Prof Scott Davidson, University ously managed by Antarctica New building. Material on the shelves can of Canterbury Zealand within the International be freely browsed. Also on Level 7 are Dr Peter Harper, University of Antarctic Centre has recently been the university's audiovisual collec Canterbury relocated to the University of tions that now also hold the Antarctic Dr dive Howard-Williams, NIWA Canterbury. map, photograph, microfiche and Dr John McDonald, University of The move comes following the video materials. The Arctic and Auckland disestablishment of the Crown Antarctic regions database and asso Margaret Mahy, author, Christchurch Research Institute library network, of ciated microfiche documents will be Dr Dean Peterson, Antarctica New which the library was a part, and a available there. Rare or delicate items Zealand review of Antarctica New Zealand's will be held in the university's special information needs and services. collections to ensure preservation. Other appointments are pending The partnership arrangement Antarctica New Zealand will retain Summer School and Scott Base also reflects the University of a small collection of materials in its programme Canterbury's strengths and interests offices appropriate for its event Dr Margaret Bradshaw, research in Antarctic research and teaching, planning and management needs. associate, Department of Geological which include an interdisciplinary This will include frequently used Sciences, University of Canterbury undergraduate course and graduate maps and photographs, science and Dr Gary Steel, lecturer, Human certificate, and its close proximity to logistics reports, and general Sciences Division, Lincoln University the International Antarctic Centre. reference material. These items will The change does not significantly be listed as part of the university Project Supervisors affect the accessibility of the collection library catalogLie so that the entire These will be arranged in the first week to the Antarctic community, says collection can be searched and the of the summer school. Antarctica New Zealand. holding location identified. "The Antarctic collection will be As in the past, borrowing is Guest Seminar contributors maintained as a distinct collection possible via any library that partici Dr Klaus Dodds, University of London and will be developed further by the pates in the interlibrary loan system. Author Geo-politics in Antarctica: university," says Antarctica New Members of the Antarctic Views from the Southern Ocean Rim Zealand director Gillian Wratt. "The community requiring more intensive Dr David Walton, British Antarctic university library has a rich store of use of the collection can arrange Survey Cambridge other information resources that will borrowing privileges through a letter Kim Stanley-Robinson, award winning complement the Antarctic collection. of introduction from Antarctica New science fiction writer, USA This will provide added value to the Zealand. A guide to use of the Mrs Anne Kershaw, director Antarctic community'/' Antarctic collection in the university Adventure Network International The Antarctic collection is housed library is available.

Vol 16 No. 3, 1998-99 Antarctic book review An Alien in Antarctica 'Reflections upon Forty Years of Exploration and Research on the Frozen Continent

By Charles Swithinbank (1997), The settlers" made him feel that he control over crevassed terrain while McDonald & Woodward Publishing belonged there, and made him vow to towing Nansen sledges. This was in Company, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA. go back. 1960-61, two years before they were 214pp + i-xviii After a degree in geography at introduced to NZARP. Reviewed by David Skinner Oxford, he was "casually asked" over He was instrumental in looking for a coffee at the Explorers' Club if he the most up-to-date technology to would like to go to Antarctica as a help measure ice thickness and ice How a does book one that go to about the reviewer reviewing is member of the Norwegian-British- flow using geophysics and well nigh perfect? Swedish Antarctic Expedition of photogrammetry. Where technology Right from the opening prologue, 1949-1952 to Queen Maud Land, with did not yet exist, he collaborated in Charles Swithinbank's account of the the object of studying ice. For the four the development of new instruments. first glaciological work of the USARP years after the expedition he was at Thus was born what he calls in the Ross Dependency struck a Cambridge University, studying the "armchair glaciology", the use of chord of remembrance. When he pack ice distribution in the Northwest airborne ultra high frequency pulsed made his first attempt at measuring Passage of the Canadian Arctic, after radar designed and built at the Scott the flow rate of the largest glacier which, as he puts it, he was qualified Polar Research Institute at "possibly unparalleled on our planet" for nothing else but polar research. Cambridge, to measure the greatest by landing precariously on incredibly By being in the right 'pub' at the possible ice depths. crevassed ice with his Sikorski heli right time in England in 1959, he met Having officially retired in 1986 at copter on the north side of the glacier, Professor Jim Zumberge of the age 60, a new career based on his on 22 November I960,1 was part of a University of Michigan who had been many years of glacier travel and four man, two dog team NZARP to Antarctica in 1957-58 studying the aircraft landings on ice opened up for survey party pushing our sledges up Ross Ice Shelf. This led to a position in him. He became the field adviser for on to the plateau above Cape that university and the start of a 30- Adventure Network International, a Slebourne overlooking the south side year association with the US Antarctic Canadian company set up to take of the same glacier. We already knew Research Programme. It began with a private expeditions to Antarctica. The it as the Byrd Glacier. Sno-cat traverse across the Ross Ice object was to locate blue ice areas I had met this great scientist in the Shelf from Kainan Bay and the US with suitably horizontal surface mess at McMurdo where his English base Little America V to McMurdo profiles and length to land wheeled accent emanating from a USARP Station on Ross Island, a distance of aircraft on. During this period, his made him stand out as an unusual some 450 miles, the objective being to survey party found what was to be member of the US research measure the movement and thickness the southernmost meteorite, on blue programme. He was eleven years of the ice shelf. This was pioneering ice at Mt Howe at the head of the older than me, but we had both begun work not only for the science but also Scott Glacier. our Antarctic scientific adventures at for the use of tracked vehicles over In spite of initial US Government 22 years of age. often badly crevassed terrain. The opposition on the grounds of risk and Dr Swithinbank describes his 46- description of the journey is a very safety, these private expedition begin year involvement in Arctic and personal view of the expedition's nings eventually led to his employ Antarctic research beginning as the work, of everything from the ment by USARP to locate blue ice result of his mother reading to him, problems of travel, the science, the suitable for landings by the largest when he was eight years old, stories personalities and the food, to how to wheeled aircraft as a staging post for of "explorers hacking their way "handle the call of nature". airlifting building supplies for the through jungle or dragging their The succeeding chapters describe construction of a new South Pole sledges across virgin snow"! This was the early days at McMurdo, relations station. Wheeled aircraft could carry in Burma in the 1920s where his with NZARP, the difficulties of much greater loads for less fuel use father, a classical scholar (Eton and coping with the US Navy establish than the ski equipped Hercules that Balliol, Oxford) was a District ment but the exhilaration of working were needed to land at the pole. Commissioner, and during his with the aircrews of the US Navy The book is a very personal view of schooling in England. VXE6 squadron, especially for the Charles Swithinbank's polar career, His adventures began as a helicopter pilots with whom Dr spanning 46 years and both Arctic midshipman in the Royal Navy Swithinbank clearly had a great and Antarctic pure and applied during the last two years of the rapport. Although he missed out on research. There is a great deal of day second World War. In 1945, his naval the joys of dog team travel because of to day descriptions of people, events duties took him to Spitzbergen which Admiral Tyree's insistence that they and places, along with reminiscences "left a lasting impression: The spec were for emergencies only, he of whether the early expeditionary tacular Arctic landscape, the clean air, pioneered the use of motor toboggans days were more satisfying than the and the pioneering spirit of the in Antarctica and the safe, remote Continued on page 69

68 Vol 16 No. 3, 1998-99 Antarctic BOOK REVIEW Confessions of a Public Works Engineer

By Bob Norman, Slide Rule Press, PO to criticise (even by its own original design specification, and Box 50-094, Porirua, Wellington. 188pp employees) the monolithic Ministry though the design by overseas Price $35.00. of Works, and no doubt it did consultants met the specifications, Reviewed by Dr John Bradshaw become bureaucratic and conserva the resultant structure would have tive in its day-to-day operations. The been much weaker than the one Though an Antarctic ice-scape book however draws attention to the actually built because the specifica features on its cover this is not many successes and to originality, tion contained unnecessary primarily an Antarctic book, and innovation and the pioneering of constraints. As Bob shows, it is Antarctic matters figure too infre new construction methods in many worth asking who wrote the specifi quently in the text. engineering projects. Some instances cation and why. Similarly it is better But Bob Norman has more to tell, show that organisations 'purchasing' to find out why something did not and notwithstanding this warning, major engineering works do not work rather than to rush, tight go ahead and buy the book, it is a really know what they want, or how lipped, into litigation looking for jolly good read. much it should really cost. someone to blame. The book raises The book traces the author's career interesting questions bout the rise of from University student in engi the 'generic manager' and the neering to Commissioner of Works 'Any builder will tell validity of current economic and in the now dismantled Ministry of management dogma. Works. The tale is told with honesty, Bob served New Zealand in areas clarity and much humour and you that it is easy to other than engineering. For two and reflects a zest for life and a drive to a half years he was one of three State make things work. On leaving design a structure Services Commissioners managing university Bob spent a short period his public service apparatus. He also overseas with the army towards the that cannot be built/ contributed to the Antarctic end of World War II before joining programme in several ways and the design office of the Public Works Bob is clearly not enamoured with came to love the continent. Many Department. This initial spell with 'restructured' New Zealand, nor would thank Bob for his review of 'Works' was brief and Bob was with the settlement of engineering Antarctic vehicles and machinery; awarded a scholarship for further problems through the courts. one result were motor toboggans engineering study overseas, a phase Certainly it is feasible to let contracts that not only would take you into the that produced a rich haul of for design of a structure to some field but would also bring you back! incidents and finely observed events. specification, to call tenders for After he retired from 'Works' and Bob's career and work illustrates construction, and further tenders for Trevor Hatherton had moved on to public works engineering within the maintenance. President of the Royal Society, Bob social and economic structures of But any builder will tell you that it was asked to chair the Ross New Zealand in the 1950s-mid 80s. is easy to design a structure that Dependency Research Committee. It Through much of that period New cannot be built, and that there is a was a tough term and he was the last Zealand had a population of 2.5 certain discipline in construction if chairman of the old RDRC before it million or fewer people and needed you know you are going to be was swept away in the restructuring to develop a modern transport infra responsible for maintenance too. The of New Zealand science. structure through some of the most book shows that in a structure as Bob had great experience working unstable country in the world. important as the Auckland Harbour with the 'Wellington' system and he I can recall that it was fashionable Bridge there were defects in the fought hard for common sense solutions. Continued from page 68 Bob continues his links with modern, more bureaucratic but tech who have been lucky enough to expe Antarctica as a valued trustee of the nologically superior research rience working and living in Antarctica Heritage Trust and a programmes of today. Antarctica, secondly, to those who member of the society. If there is one criticism of the book, may have a vicarious curiosity about On the back cover the publisher's it is the difficulty of following the what such working and living might blurb says: ". . . . Bob Norman's chronology and of being sure of be like, and finally, to all whose witty, articulate and always inter which year or season is being interests are in the exploration of the esting account of an especially rich described. This is in part from mixing Antarctic and its effects on the and full working life. From comical contemporary dates in the narrative humans who work there — the aliens anecdotes to fascinating insights into with reminiscences of past events, in Antarctica. the workings of government and the and in part from the merging of time public service, this book is more than from one chapter to the other. Note: Dr David Skinner is a well one man's story; it is the story of our I could not put the book down, but known New Zealand geologist whose nation's development over the last read it in a single sitting. I Antarctic field work extends over 40 years." It is unusually accurate for recommend the book to firstly those more than 35 years. the genre and says it all.

Vol 16 No. 3, 1998-99 69 Antarctic BOOK REVIEW With Scott: The Silver Lining

By Thomas Griffith Taylor, published by leading figures of this expedition. Smith Elder & Co 1916, this edition by Through the book's well illustrated Bluntisham Books and Erskine Press, pages the reader is treated to insights Norwich, Norfolk, UK. into the everyday life of an Antarctic Reviewed by Baden Norris explorer. Taylor was in the first party to visit the Shackleton Hut at Cape Often history is not completely served Royds after it was abandoned by that well by official accounts of events. expedition. His record of the condition Official versions frequently are of the interior of the hut makes very rounded off, sanitised and tidied up to interesting reading and should be give the very best account of what noted by all those who strive to restore transpired, leaving out in the process that building. much of interest to historians and With typical Australian candour, conveying a false picture. the author, quoting liberally from his It was therefore a great pleasure to diary, brings so much that has puzzled read the reprint of With Scott: The Silver others, to life. His efforts to pan gold at Lake Chad, his pioneer cycle ride Lining, a publication of considerable Capt. Robert Falcon Scott. (Photo H. G. Pouting). merit which allows its readers to pull which cost injury to body and pride, aside the curtain of officialdom that his account of life at Hut Point, all give There are many geological refer shrouded the 1910-13 Scott expedition the reader great enjoyment. ences which the reviewer has no and experience the many struggles Did you know for instance, that the competence to comment on and at and pleasures of various parties cooking pots used at Hut Point had times I felt that there are really two involved. lids made from scrap asbestos? As far books under the one cover. One that Griffith Taylor, an Australian as I know with no ill effects on the would, I am sure, serve those inter geologist with the expedition, records party and that asbestos was used to ested in geology very well and the in generous detail his experiences, level the floor of the hut and to other, fascinating those interested in joining the expedition on the Terra provide the powder to the cement that human history and man's early and Nova going south, in the various huts, binds the blubber stove in the hut. often quaint efforts to conquer the sledging as part of the two western We are treated to many of the inner earth's southern extremity. parties and his return journey to thoughts of the author, in particular Books on Antarctic history are not Lyttelton at the completion of his his dreams. I found it interesting that rare and they vary in quality. With work. It is in the area of detail that this after canvassing various members of Scott: The Silver Lining, is without a history really shines, details over his party that no member had any doubt one of the most valuable records looked in official accounts and often dreams that featured ice and snow available and should be read by all much more interesting and revealing until six months had elapsed at Cape who have fallen under the spell of the than the more pretentious offerings of Evans. 'Great White Continent'. TRIBUTE John Mayston Bechervaise

The passing of John Bechervaise leaves a gap in the bring the story of ANARE to ranks of Australia's Antarctic pioneers which will be the people of Australia. felt by all in the community of ANARE, past and In his younger days John present. was a regular visit to John was one of the larger-than-life figures of the Tasmania — ANARE's early years of Australia's modern Antarctic modern-day home — as an programme, respected not only for his erudition and explorer of the state's many language gifts, but also as a leader of the Australian wild places, a passion he stations of Heard Island and Mawson in the 1950's, took with him to many parts when leadership was so critical to the success of these of Australia as well as to remote, isolated communities. It is very significant that Antarctica. We had the he won the lifelong goodwill of the ANARE people pleasure of welcoming John with whom he served. back to Tasmania in 1988, John brought his literary skills to bear in writing when as quest speaker at the opening of a major exhibition of about Australian National Antarctic Research Antarctic art at the Tasmania!) Museum and Art Gallery he Expeditions (ANARE), working individually and in gave a wonderfully lucid account of the Antarctic aesthetic. — close collaboration with his friend Dr Phillip Law, to Rex Moncur, Director, Australian Antarctic Division.

Vol 16 No. 3, 1998- 99 Antarctic BOOK REVIEW Stanley (Stan) Smith 1911-1998

Honorary life member of the A photograph in the Christchurch Antarctic Society Stan Smith died in "Press" shows him standing next to North Canterbury, July 1998. He was the tractor with Baden Norris and Ed a Rangiora contractor and a quiet Hillary. The following week he went man. During the 1970s-1980s he made to Auckland to discuss mechanical a significant contribution to details with Jim Bates and Peter Canterbury branch, in partnership Mulgrew who had been tractor with his wife Ella. drivers to the South Pole with Hillary. Stan's long term interest in Stan liaised with the museum to Antarctica became heightened when make sure the tractor was modified his son Murray went to Cape Royds back to its Antarctic TAE appearance, in 1961 to begin a thesis on Weddell with canvas cab and tracks over the seals at the University of Canterbury. wheels. The tractor today is still an Murray spent three summers in eye-catching feature of the museum's Antarctica and wintered over in 1963. Antarctic display. Stan went south himself in the One of Stan and Ella's most summer of 1970-71 as part of a two- memorable Antarctic moments was man hut caretaker team drawn from hosting Irvine Gaze, member of the Antarctic Society. He and Charles Shackleton's 1914-17 Ross Sea party, Satterthwaite supervised visitors to when he came over from Australia for Shackleton's historic hut at Cape the opening of Canterbury museum's Royds, did a census of the nearby Antarctic Hall in 1977. Adelie penguin colony and took Ella died over a year before Stan, meteorological measurements. but her robust cheerfulness and the Stan became chairman of the couple's loyalty to both the branch Canterbury branch in 1973-74. In 1975 and the society will be well remem he was instrumental in obtaining one bered by older Canterbury branch of the New Zealand TAE Ferguson members. tractors for the new Antarctic exhibi tion hall at Canterbury museum. Margaret Bradshazv

Arthur Stanley Helm qso, mbe, ma 1914-1998

Arthur Helm died in Commonwealth venture, the expedition as a whole was to Wellington on August 20 be handled from a headquarters in London. 1998. A base named Shackleton was to be established in the Born in Riverton, he Weddell Sea while a base to be named Scott was to be joined the Post Office in located in McMurdo Sound of the Ross Sea for a support 1930. He enlisted in the party. New Zealand was then invited to provide support by Signals Division of the First establishing and manning Scott Base for the purpose of Echelon of the NZEF and reconnoitering a roLtte through the Western Mountains and served in Egypt, Greece, across the Polar Plateau towards the South Pole, estab Crete and Italy during lishing supply depots for the crossing party en route. World War 2 and was Sir Edmund Hillary was then brought into the picture mentioned in Dispatches. and was appointed leader of the New Zealand section of After the War he went to Otago University and won a the expedition, which was titled the Commonwealth Trans- scholarship to the United States, later gaining an MA from Antarctic Expedition. Victoria University, Wellington. The Government then approved a grant of £50,000 Helm was a staunch member of the New Zealand towards the cost of the proposed Trans-Antarctic Antarctic Society and was very much involved in pres Expedition. It was then decided to attach a party of New suring the Government to support a New Zealand expedi Zealand International Geophysical year scientists to in the tion in Antarctica. Consultations followed with Dr Vivian Expedition and this resulted in additional Government Fuchs, who had been base leader of the Falkland Islands funds to assist in building a more elaborate base with Dependency Survey, and who had conceived the idea of a sophisticated scientific equipment for the IGY programme. Trans-Antarctic crossing while snow-bound in the Arthur Helm was appointed Secretary of the Ross Sea Antarctic some years previously. While the original plan Committee of the Trans-Antarctic Expedition and with an of the Trans-Antarctic Expedition was for it to be a truly Continued on page 72

Vol 16 No. 3, 1998-99 Antarctic LETTER TO THE EDITOR Arthur Stanley Dear Editor: the BAE, a further factor that equips Helm him (for Australian audiences) to be Baden Norris need have 'no quarrel' the ideal narrator of the Scott tragedy. Continued from page 71 (as he writes in Vol. 16 No. 2, 1998) Of 'the owner', it was Debenham office established in Parliament with the production of 'Great Scott' in who, in a letter to his mother of 14 Buildings and a small staff he became the knowledge that the script of the November, 1911 wrote: the focal point of everything musical specifically states that Frank "I am afraid I am very disap connected with the new and exciting Debenham was the first AListralian- pointed in him, tho' my faith died venture. He was at the centre of born scientist/explorer to join an very hard . . . His temper is very organising fundraising lecture Antarctic expedition. uncertain and leads him to absurd programmes, sponsors for fuel, Obviously the reviewer of the lengths even in simple arguments. In aircraft, tractors, food, clothing and production, for the sake of word- crises he acts very peculiarly . . . what mechanical supplies, etc. economy, mentioned only that he decides is often enough the right Fie was involved in the expedition- Debenham was the first 'Australian', thing I expect, but he loses all control training programme on Mt Cook and a point that the Antarctic Curator of of his tongue and makes us all feel the Tasman Glacier with the expedi Canterbury Museum rightly contests. wild ... I cannot say he is in the least tion on HMNZS Endeavour as a key Clearly, no disrespect was intended popular, still we are all prepared to member of the summer support towards those other illustrious follow him."# party. 'Australian' figures, Bernacchi and Helm was appointed Postmaster Mawson — it is just that they were # Debenham, Frank, The Quiet Land, The and while 'A' hut was still being built, never part of the BAE. It might be Antarctic Diaries of Frank Debenham, he opened a post office in a disused mentioned that Griffith Taylor, born edited by June Debenham Back. packing case outside, being kept busy in England, was the other 'Australian' Bluntisham Books, Erskine Press 1992. stamping the new Ross Dependency in Scott's expedition — and both men stamps on the specially designed observed that they tended to be David Burke, souvenir cards for expedition regarded as 'Colonials'. Burradoo, Australia 1/11/98 members, Americans from the Deep Debenham remained at Cape Freeze base and the numerous Evans right until the gloomy end of summer visitors. During the period of the Expedition until their return home PEOPLE with the triumphant British crossing party in March 1958, Helm was kept Dr Dean Peterson who has joined Antarctica New Zealand as extremely busy in his Parliamentary science strategy manager in June from the Jet Propulsion office, co-ordinating mailings and dispatches between Fuchs, Hillary Laboratory in California. and the London Headquarters. An atmospheric scientist, Dean was based in Christchurch in The arrival of the Endeavour back 1994 during NASA's ER-2 ozone research mission. He has also in Wellington on 17 March 1958 worked as a programme manager for NASA's Upper Atmosphere marked the end of the Research Programme. Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition but Helm carried on for some time settling the Expedition affairs. Peter Cleary who was appointed to the position of Antarctic Support Co-ordinator for Antarctica New Zealand in May. Peter Helm was Secretary of the Antarctic has many years Antarctic experience at Scott Base and in the Place Names Committee for seven field with New Zealand parties, with the British Antarctic Survey and Adventure Network International. He has also co-ordinated years from 1957 and two Antarctic geographical features bears his name logistical support for geological exploration in Africa and — Helm Glacier and Helm Point. Australia. He is responsible for planning the support require ments of all events and is operations manager at Scott Base over the season. John Claydon

Vol 16 No. 3, 1998- 99 MEMBERSHIP

The New Zealand Antarctic Society You are invited to join - please write to: Overseas Branch Secretary, Inc., was formed in 1933. It comprises National Secretary, P O Box 404, New Zealand Antarctic Society Inc., New Zealanders and overseas friends, Christchurch 8000, NEW ZEALAND P O Box 404, Christchurch 8000, many of whom have been to the or Telephone: +64 (0) 3 377 3173 NEW ZEALAND Antarctic and all of whom are interested Facsimile: +64 (0) 3 365 2252 in some phase of Antarctic exploration, E-mail: [email protected] Subscriptions to Antarctic: history, development or research. Visit us at: NZ$45 New Zealand http://www.icair.iac.org.nz/news/nzas Airmail: Annual membership of the Society NZ$51 Australia and South Pacific entitles members to: The Antarctic All administrative inquiries should be NZ$54 North America and East Asia Journal, which is published each March, directed to the National Secretary. NZ$56 Europe, including Great Britain June, September and December. It is Inquiries regarding back issues can be NZ$60 Everywhere else unique in Antarctic literature as it is the made to the Back Issues Officer, at the Surface Mail: only periodical which provides regular above address. NZ$48 Australia and South Pacific and up to date news of the activities of NZ$50 North America and East Asia all nations at work in the Antarctic and Members should direct other inquiries NZ$51 Europe, including Great Britain Sub-antarctic. It has a world-wide circu to their local branch. NZ$51 Everywhere else lation. Secretary, Auckland Branch, Advertising rates: New Zealand Antarctic Society Inc., Full page colour $700 Members also receive a regular P O Box 8062, AUCKLAND 1035 Half page colour $400 newsletter called Polar Whispers, an Secretary, Wellington Branch, Full page B&W $300 annual Polar Log, which records the New Zealand Antarctic Society Inc., Half page B&W $250 decisions made by the Society's Council P O Box 2110, WELLINGTON 6000 Inserts $300 at its AGM, catalogues of the Society's mailorder bookshop 'The Polar Secretary, Canterbury Branch, Advertising Enquiries: New Zealand Antarctic Society Inc., Bookshop' and occasional brochures Advertising Manager, P O Box 2369 from the Society's 'Sales Stall'. Regular P O Box 404, CHRISTCHURCH 8000 Christchurch 8000, NEW ZEALAND Tel: +64 (0) 3 365 0344 meetings are held by the Auckland, Secretary, Otago Branch, Fax: +64 (0) 3 365 4255 Wellington, Canterbury and Otago New Zealand Antarctic Society Inc., branches. P O Box 7083, DUNEDIN 9030 Deadline: 20th of preceding month

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