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Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 1979-80: VUWAE 24

PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXPEDITION

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PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXPEDITION

Background

The main aim of VUWAE 24 was to provide the scientific support for coring the floor of Western McMurdo Sound, an enterprise that would involve close collaboration with the Ministry of Works drilling team and the logistic services of Antarctic Division. In addition scientists from four other countries were to participate. The object of the drilling was to obtain a record of the early history of the East Antarctic ice sheet and hopefully reach strata predating its formation (Barrett, 1979). Preliminary results are given in Part I of this report. The planned programme also included a variety of investigations after drilling was completed. Some of these, such as the gravity and seismic surveys, were scientifically related to the drilling; others were mainly to allow scientists already in Antarctica for the drilling to exercise their skill and curiosity further. Post-drilling programmes of both types are described in Part II.

Because of the integral nature of preparations for the drilling and the subsequent field events they are discussed together below.

Finance

A grant of $14,000 was obtained from the University Grants Committee to pay for food, clothing, camping items, scientific equipment, travel, freight and insurance. However, this was not sufficient for both the drilling project and the subsequent field programme that developed. The University's Internal Research Committee made a further grant of $530 in addition to its grant to student assistants, the Geology Department paid for repairs to a theodolite, and the Physics Department purchased a $500 share in the "Mate" earth/ice auger. The running grant of the Antarctic Research Centre was also used to help cover the gap, our total budget for the season being $16,300, despite a range of economies in purchasing.

A grant of $1,388 was also made from the Trans-Antarctic Association to help the participation of Dr McKelvey, sedimentologist, and Howard Brady, micropaleontologist.

Equipment

Equipment bought for VUWAE 24 was mainly scientific used in conjunction with the MSSTS project for sea floor sampling and the cross Sound Surveys. A "Mate" motorised earth auger with accompanying 4 and 10 inch diameter augers was used to make access holes through the sea ice. We also purchased a meter wheel for measuring toboggan travel accurately which was used in the cross Sound Surveys. Also purchased were six hundred metres of low stretch terylene cord used for depth sounding and two thermometers for the VUWAE Thommen 3B4 altimeters.

Several pieces of equipment were built, some of which incorporated borrowed equipment. The Oceanographic Institute camera and flash units for photographing the sea floor were fitted inside pressure vessels built by the VUW Engineering Workshop. A tripod was also made to lower the camera and piston cover to the sea floor. Nick Thompson built for us a very successful tide gauge used at the MSSTS drill site, and also modified the piston corer.

Antarctic Division (DSIR) supplied expensive and specialised equipment. The main items were vehicles, snow-trac and toboggans used during the across Sound Surveys, and on the Taylor Glacier Gravity Survey following MSSTS. VUWAE 24 field programmes (post MSSTS) were supplied with: Polar tents (4), two man tents (2), SSB radio transceivers (4), first aid kits (4), assorted climbing equipment and fuel (petrol and kerosene).

VUWAE 24 was charged by Antarctic Division on a man-week basis for food while at Scott Base and in the field. The weekly rate this season was $32 per person. page 2 Three sets of double down sleeping bags, 10 field mattresses, 2 Anoraks and 3 pairs of overtrousers were the main items purchased. Minor items included 2 new pairs of crampons, and one pair of mukluks purchased from Antarctic Division. Down clothing, windproofs and mukluks were again repaired for this expedition by Graeme Duncan.

The MSSTS project has put a greater strain of VUWAE field equipment and clothing resources than for the smaller manpower expeditions of normal years. Old clothing normally used for repair materials were repaired to accommodate the increased manpower of this expedition. Much of the clothing has suddenly become redundant earlier in their life than usual because of the rigorous conditions of drilling. New clothing therefore needs to be purchased for the coming season's expedition.

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Figure 1 Map of the McMurdo Sound region, showing areas covered by VUWAE 24.

Figure 1 Map of the McMurdo Sound region, showing areas covered by VUWAE 24.