THE PUBLICATION OF THE NEW ZEALAND ANTARCTIC SOCIETY Vol 29, No. 1, 2011 29, No. 1, Vol www.antarctic.org.nz is published quarterly by the New Zealand Antarctic Society Inc. ISSN 0003-5327 The New Zealand Antarctic Society is a Registered Charity CC27118 Please address all publication enquiries to: PUBLISHER: Gusto Patron of the New Zealand Antarctic Society: P.O. Box 11994, Manners Street Patron: Professor Peter Barrett, 2008. Wellington Immediate Past Patron: Sir Edmund Hillary. Tel (04) 4999 150, Fax (04) 4999 140 Email: [email protected] NEW ZEALAND ANTARCTIC SOCIETY LIFE MEMBERS EDITOR: Natalie Cadenhead The Society recognises with life membership, P.O. Box 404 those people who excel in furthering the Christchurch 8140 aims and objectives of the Society or who New Zealand have given outstanding service in Antarctica. Email: [email protected] They are elected by vote at the Annual General Meeting and are restricted to 15 life ASSISTANT EDITOR: members at any time. Janet Bray Current Life Members by the year elected: 1. Bernard Stonehouse (UK), 1966 INDEXER: 2. John Claydon (Canterbury), 1980 Mike Wing 3. Jim Lowery (Wellington), 1982 4. Iris Orchard (Canterbury), 1990 PRINTED BY: 5. Robin Ormerod (Wellington), 1996 Format, Wellington 6. Eric Gibbs (Wellington), 1997 This publication is printed using vegetable- based inks onto media gloss, which is a stock 7. Baden Norris (Canterbury), 2003 sourced from sustainable forests with PEFC 8. Bill Cranfield (Canterbury), 2003 (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest 9. Randal Heke (Wellington), 2003 Certification), EMAS (The EU Eco-Management 10. Bill Hopper (Wellington), 2004 & Audit Scheme) & ISO accreditations. 11. Malcolm Laird (Canterbury), 2006 Antarctic is distributed in flow biowrap. 12. Arnold Heine (Wellington), 2006 Cover photo: 13. Margaret Bradshaw (Canterbury), 2006 The base of Robert Falcon Scott’s statue toppled in the 14. Ray Dibble (Wellington), 2008 Christchurch earthquake 22 February 2011. Photograph courtesy Nic Jackson 15. Norman Hardie (Canterbury), 2008 Vol 29, No. 1, 2011 CONTENTS Issue 215 NEWS A Note From the Editor 2 Antarctica New Zealand 2010–11 Season Summary 24 EVENTS Regional Roundup 3 HISTORY New Zealand Science Expedition Finds Historical Depot Near the Scott Glacier 4 Isolated Scott Island 9 Antarctic Memories of an Old American 16 SCIENCE From Meters to Microns – 3D Imaging in Antarctica 6 Microscopic Inhabitants of the Ross Sea Plankton 10 Antarctic Scientists Focus on the Beardmore Glacier 13 Fungi in Antarctica – Witness to the Past and Guide to the Future 14 2010 Antarctic Ozone Hole: Smallest in Five Years 19 Massive Icebergs and Antarctic Ecosystems 20 The Answer is Blowing in the Wind 22 nzTABS: the Largest Landscape-Scale Biodiversity Study Ever Undertaken 26 Stress and Personality in Antarctic Penguins 28 ARTS Poem – Sastrugi back cover Vol 29, No. 1, 2011 1 NEWS A Note From the Editor When I wrote the Note from the Editor held in a private home in early March for the last bumper double edition of and another is planned for April. Antarctic, little did I know that another, The landscape of Christchurch – even more devastating earthquake New Zealand’s gateway to Antarctica would occur and that, yet again – has changed forever. Some parts will (a minor issue in the bigger picture), be restored to their former glory, it would be a challenge to publish the including the marble statue of Robert next issue. After the September 2010 Falcon Scott which was cast down quake we tried to put the October in the quake. The Christchurch City issue of the publication out, but after a Council, with help from heritage few weeks I realised my concentration experts, has carefully collected and wasn’t there and that it could not stored all the pieces until it can be be done to the standard the Society conserved and restored. aims to reach. This time, however A national memorial service was (22 February 2011 earthquake) held in Hagley Park in the centre of feels different. Concentration is still Christchurch on 18th March, which Statue of Robert Falcon Scott. Photograph courtesy Anthony Wright difficult for many due to continuing ten’s of thousands of people attended. aftershocks, lack of good sleep and a Representatives from a wide variety reflections on Christchurch and offers general uncertainty about what will of communities within Canterbury of help and support. These articles are happen to Christchurch both in the spoke, remembering not only those printed in this issue. To all of those near future and as we re-build. Despite who had died but also recognising people – thank you! Without you this this I felt a determination to get the the indelible changes to the landscape issue simply could not exist. A special issue out – kind of a “kick in the pants” and the challenges to rebuilding. The thanks goes to Katie from Gusto Design to the quake – to show that life goes on service began with a 14 minute film and Lester Chaplow, Treasurer of the and that the New Zealand Antarctic of the Central Business District which New Zealand Antarctic Society, both Society (and especially the Canterbury has been closed for safety reasons of whom were unstinting with support Branch) is alive and well. This since the quake. The footage included and advice. Articles originally intended determination was only strengthened the extensive damage to the Cathedral for this issue will appear in future issues by the recent catastrophic events in where the annual service is held to bless once the files are accessible. Japan. I have heard from Makoto, the the Antarctic season. Most in the crowd I hope you enjoy this “Canterbury Shirase Memorial Antarctic Museum had not seen any of these images and Quake” issue of Antarctic which cele- representative, who assures me that the entire park fell silent as the extent brates the strength of the Antarctic they are fine, although they were of the devastation was realised. and wider communities in tough without power for three days. Canterbury Museum (where I times. Despite two severe earthquakes, As far as we know, no Christchurch work as a curator) had no power, water major damage and disruption and members of the Antarctic Society lost or sewerage, no access for the first few the continuing aftershocks, the their lives in the quake. Many of us weeks after the quake, and limited Antarctic season finished in style with however have damage to our homes, access since, and thus I could not access successful science investigations and land and workplaces. Some have my Antarctic files. The question then newly discovered pieces of history. been evacuated, at least one has a was one of how to achieve an issue of The Antarctic community gathered large boulder instead of a back door, Antarctic? I sent out a plea for help together to support each other and the some have lost their homes, others to the Antarctic science and history April issue of Antarctic was published! are surrounded by hills of liquefaction community in New Zealand (but and silt, and others have (temporarily not those located in Canterbury) and Thanks to you all for your support. we hope) left town. The Canterbury to a person they came to the fore with Branch remains strong: a meeting was a fantastic array of articles, images, Natalie 2 Issue 215 EVENTS Regional Roundup Note that this issue does not contain a full round up from all centres due to the Canterbury earthquake. A full round up will appear in the next issue. National Antarctic Canterbury Museum Programmes campus Canterbury Museum’s heritage United States, New Zealand and buildings stood up well to the February Italian Antarctic Programs are working earthquake. The Director Anthony collaboratively to free-up as much Wright reports that work is underway office accommodation as possible on on getting essential services such as the International Antarctic Centre power, water, sewerage, security and campus for critical support agencies fire protection restored. He believes whose premises have been severely that the vast majority of collections, affected by the 22 February earthquake including the significant Antarctic in Christchurch. Currently there are collections are safe. “The Heart of representatives of St John Ambulance, the Great Alone” exhibition from the New Zealand Police, Child Youth Royal Collection is intact and is on its and Family, Department of Internal way back to Britain. Affairs, Department of Conservation and the New Zealand Historic Places Antarctic Heritage Trust Trust on campus. Both Scott Base and AHT offices survived the quake the Christchurch office of Antarctica well and they are currently working New Zealand are fully operational. Penguin from Nazareth House Catholic retirement home. through applications for conservation Photograph courtesy AHT positions for the 2011–2012 season. Lyttelton Museum They have been helping other Antarctic The Lyttelton Museum building quake survivors including a stuffed has been severely damaged in the penguin. This bird usually resides in February earthquake. Wigram Air the orphanage at Nazareth House Force Museum, which was not which has been badly damaged. The damaged, offered assistance and with bird, which is reputed to be connected the help of Canterbury Museum staff, to one of Scott’s expeditions, is being structural engineers, civil defence and held at AHT for safekeeping. the volunteer fire brigade removed AHT conservators on Ice have all objects from the Antarctic Gallery remained busy. Amongst other along with other historically significant objects conservation carpenter Martin collections held at the Museum. The Wenzel is working through the winter collections will be safely stored at the conserving hundreds of wooden Air Force Museum until Canterbury food storage boxes used by Scott Museum is able to assess them for and Shackleton in their expeditions. conservation requirements and an More information can be found at assessment on the future of the Lyttelton www.nhm.ac.uk/natureplus/community/ Museum building can be carried out.