LOGISTICS REPORT
K049 NZ – ITASE: Holocene Climate Variability along the Victoria Land Coast
Antarctica New Zealand 2005/06
*AIMS
Seven key locations were identified for the NZ ITASE (International Transantarctic Scientific Expedition) programme. The analyses on the ice core from the first site, Victoria Lower Glacier in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, have been completed. During the 2003/04 field season we carried out a detailed reconnaissance of sites 2 and 3: Evans Piedmont Glacier (EPG) and Mt Erebus Saddle (MES) and determined the most suitable locations of the ice core recovery. During the 2004/05 field season we recovered to intermediate length ice cores (180m and 200m, respectively) from these locations and conduct further in-situ measurements, such as borehole temperature and light penetration characteristics, snow density and stratigraphy and its geographical variability. Furthermore, we installed a weather station and mass balance devices at EPG and cased the borehole at MES for future measurements. During the 2005/06 field season we re-visited VLG and EPG to conduct GPS measurements of the submerge velocity devices and to sample shallow snow pits. Furthermore, we retrieved the meteorological data and carried out maintenance work on the automatic weather station at EPG. Lastly we deployed 6m snow stakes at the high accumulation site at Mt Erebus Saddle.
*PERSONNEL
Name | Designation | Organisation | Departed Chch | Returned Chch |
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Nancy Bertler | PI | Antarctic Research Centre, Victoria University | 24 Nov 05 | 06 Dec 05 |
Alex Pyne | Engineer | Antarctic Research Centre, Victoria University | 16 Nov 05 (K001) | 06 Dec 05 |
Mark Morrison | Field Safety | Antarctica New Zealand | NA | NA |
*PLANNING
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Application process
The application process was organised in a professional and efficient manner. While we feel that the review process of the Antarctic Research Committee is rigorous and unbiased, the ranking/grading system lacks accountability, as the ranking results are not provided to the applicant. This also prevents the applicant to improve future applications.
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Communications with Antarctica New Zealand staff
Communication with Antarctica New Zealand staff was professional, timely, and effective.
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Provision of maps and aerial photographs
N.A.
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Preseason information
In late May 2005 we were informed that our planned work at Cape Hallett (GPR and drilling of 200m ice core) could not be supported due to Antarctica New Zealand logistics constraints. For this reason our programme was condensed to our long-term mass balance monitoring at Victoria Lower Glacier and the maintenance work on the automatic weather station at Evans Piedmont Glacier. Furthermore, Antarctica New Zealand accommodated an additional visit to Mt Erebus Saddle to deploy snow stakes for mass balance measurements.
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Medicals, documentation and flights to Antarctica
The information received was timely and valuable
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Environmental Advice
The information received was timely and valuable
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Other comments
In our experience over the last years, Antarctica New Zealand excelled through practical, innovative approaches and reasonable flexibility to evolving situations and opportunities. In contrast, we feel that last season, communication and discussions on the practical execution of fieldwork preparations were noticeable bureaucratic and lacked some of the flexibility that has made the New Zealand programme so successful. While growing demands and challenges may necessitate the organisation to streamline, we would hope that the practical and innovative spirit of the New Zealand programme will be retained and not exchanged for a bureaucratic and removed administration.
*PREPARATIONS FOR THE FIELD
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Reception and planning for your event
The reception was well organised, friendly and efficient. The main issues of the event were promptly discussed and organised.
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Availability and condition of equipment received
The equipment requested from Scott Base was supplied in good condition.
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Field training
The re-fresher AFT for Pyne and Bertler was helpful and appreciated. The frequency of full AFT requirements for experienced people should be reviewed to take account of personal experience and regular Antarctic activity that includes fieldwork. The current 3-year frequency is too short and has changed from the 5-year frequency implemented by Rex Hendry.
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Field party equipment 'shakedown' journey
N.A.
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Delays at Scott Base, whatever the cause
Unsuitable weather conditions at the start of our schedule delayed the deployment of mass balance snow stakes at Mt Erebus Saddle until the end of our field deployment. Good weather conditions and a smooth flight plan permitted all other moves to be carried out according to schedule.
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Safety and Risk Management processes
Safety and risk management is a difficult task and benefited from the personal experience of the Antarctica New Zealand coordinator. However, the established process does not take into account local knowledge and/or experience of the field party. To allow a realistic evaluation we recommend to establish a process that includes a memory of previous seasons. This will not only benefit the evaluated group and Scott Bases resources but represents a useful data base for groups going for the first time to locations that have been visited previously by other groups.
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General comments about Scott Base
Scott Base staff created a friendly, professional, and supportive environment. We are grateful for the enthusiastic and helpful support we received. The new HFC is an excellent facility to test field and science equipment, to pack helicopter loads and to prepare cargo shipment. The use of the elevator in the HFC should be open to science groups moving polar tents and other field equipment between floors. It is difficult to understand why it requires currently a Scott Base operator to do this for the field groups.
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Other comments
Overall, we experienced a significant increase in paper work. The requirement for each field party member to fill out a Scott Base Clearance Form seems excessive and impractical.
FIELD TRANSPORT
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Vehicles
N.A.
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Aircraft Operations
All aircraft operations were performed professionally. We are also particular grateful for the reliable and experienced support of HNO.
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Ship Operations
N.A.
*EVENT DIARY
*WEATHER
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Fig. 1: Most recent weather data from the automatic weather station at Evans Piedmont Glacier
*ACCIDENTS, INCIDENTS OR HAZARDS
N.A.
FIELD EQUIPMENT
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Quality, suitability and performance of field clothing
The issued field clothing was of suitable for the warm, calm weather conditions we encountered. However, we would like to reinforce our recommendation from last year that Antarctica NZ should investigate active field clothing that is warmer than the standard ECW's, less bulky, sheds snow and is semi waterproof for some filed parties working in cold glacial locations.
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Performance and design of field equipment such as tents, technical climbing equipment, kitchen gear, primus boxes, sleep kits and sledges
New Macpac Dome Tents
The new macpac tents represent a good, light-weight alternative to polar tents in warm, calm conditions for short field deployments. The tent is easy and fast to pitch and is spacious for two people. However, the tent is like the Olympus model very temperature sensitive. As seen in Fig.2 during our field deployment, the temperature in the Olympus tent changed by as much as 12°C within a couple of hours, while air temperature only showed moderate changes and remained below 0°C. These fluctuations, caused by solar heating or cooling during cloudy periods impact on the sleep quality as a sleeping person will be either too cold or too warm over the course of the night. Moreover, the outer cover of the tent is of light quality and only suitable for calm conditions to moderate winds (<30knots). In addition, the lack of snow flaps prevented secure pitching.
Skis, Skins and Pulk
We used skis and a manhaul pulk to move equipment (~100lb) between sites at both Evans and Victoria Lower Glacier. As in previous years, the pulk performed very well and can be used on snowy and icy surfaces alike (Fig.3). The Mukluk-Skis showed signs of fatigue, especially the bindings, which broke or fell apart. Furthermore, there was a lack of skins. The use of cord tight around the skis is less efficient and makes pulling a heavy sledge uphill very difficult. We recommend that Antarctica New Zealand invests in new skies and skins to be pre-allocated to field parties undertaking glaciological traverses.
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Fig. 2: a) Temperature inside the olympus tent as measured during field deployment, b) new macpac dome tent on Victoria Lower Glacier
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Fig. 3: Manhauling equipment between sites at Victoria Lower Glacier
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20 person day ration box system
The new food boxes (or bags) were well packed in terms of quantity and nutrition and were favourably received by all members. The addition of savoury snack food and new innovative extras, such as bagged tuna and couscous was very much appreciated.
RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
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Suitability and effectiveness of the radio equipment
A high gain aerial was required at EPG and MES locations. We noted the radio batteries were more difficult to charge than in previous years. While all batteries were charged in the comfort of HFC before heading into the field, even unused batteries discharged within 24hours in moderate temperatures.
Moreover, the solar panel charger for the radio batteries has two disadvantages: The batteries are cold during the charging process and in moderate winds the solar panel cannot be securely anchored to e.g. a tent. We suggest providing a black plastic box with clear lid to store the batteries and charger during charging. In sunny conditions solar heating will significantly rise battery temperature and hence charging capacity. A simple and inexpensive thermistor mechanism could be used prevent overheating through regulating air circulation within the box. A couple karabiners glued to the solar panel will assist greatly in charging batteries in windy locations.
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Reception/transmission conditions and suitability of radio schedule timing
As last year, we noted that communications at EPG on channel 3 and 5 were poorer than the previous season at a very similar location when a hand held without high gain aerial was reliable.
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Scott Base's general efficiency during radio schedule
Radio communication was efficient, professional, and appreciated. The timing of the radio schedule convenient.
COMPUTER FACILITIES
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Assistance the science technicians gave with computer / IT issues
N.A.
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Issues concerning public computer facilities in the Hatherton Laboratory
The computer network met our needs satisfactorily. A possibility to connect laptops to the Scott Base external net connection would be highly appreciated, especially during prolonged delays at Scott Base.
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Other comments
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPAC
*Sites Visited (please fill in a box for each site visited)
Site name | Evans Piedmont Glacier |
Site location (coordinates/description) | 76° 435335S; 162° 35.2940 E, 314m asl, glacier surface |
Dates occupied | 28 Nov 05 to 01 Dec 05 |
Total days (or hours) at site | 4 |
Maximum number of people at site (your event) | 3 |
Total person-days (or person-hours) at site | 12 |
Main activity undertaken | High resolution snow pit sampling, maintenance and data retrieval of automatic weather station, GPS measurements for submergence velocity devices |
Cumulative impacts observed | Transitory and less than minor |
Site name | Victoria Lower Glacier I |
Site location (coordinates/description) | 77° 19.8053S; 162° 31.9252 E, 626m asl, glacier surface |
Dates occupied | 01 Dec 05 to 05 Dec 06 |
Total days (or hours) at site | 5 |
Maximum number of people at site (your event) | 3 |
Total person-days (or person-hours) at site | 15 |
Main activity undertaken | High resolution snow pit sampling, GPS measurements for submergence velocity devices |
Cumulative impacts observed | Transitory and less than minor |
Site name | Victoria Lower Glacier II |
Site location (coordinates/description) | 77° 20.81846S; 162° 29.5371 E, 527m asl, glacier surface |
Dates occupied | 02 Dec 05 and 03 Dec 05 |
Total days (or hours) at site | 6 hours |
Maximum number of people at site (your event) | 3 |
Total person-days (or person-hours) at site | 18 hours |
Main activity undertaken | Completion of GPS measurement for submergence velocity device. Complete retrieval of the device. |
Cumulative impacts observed | Transitory and less than minor |
Site name | Mt Erebus Saddle |
Site location (coordinates/description) | 77°30.90S; 167° 40.59 E, 1600m asl, glacier surface |
Dates occupied | 05 Dec 05 |
Total days (or hours) at site | 1 hour |
Maximum number of people at site (your event) | 3 |
Total person-days (or person-hours) at site | 3 hours |
Main activity undertaken | Deployment of three 6m high snow stakes for mass balance measurement |
Cumulative impacts observed | Transitory and less than minor |
Geological Material
Location (coordinates if available) | 76° 435335S; 162° 35.2940 E, 314m asl |
Specimen type | Snow samples |
Quantity (kg) | 30 kg |
Location (coordinates if available) | 77° 19.8053S; 162° 31.9252 E, 626m asl |
Specimen type | Snow samples |
Quantity (kg) | 35 kg |
Equipment installed/left in field
Type of equipment/marker installed | Three snow stakes |
Location of installation left in field | 77°30.90S; 167° 40.59 E, ~1600m |
Size of items left in field (Dimension in metres: H, W, L) | 6m high snow stakes (2m below and 4m above ground), with an average diameter of 2.5cm |
Number of items left in field | 3 |
Estimated retrieval date | Dec 2007 |
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Fig. 4: Three snow stakes placed in the vicinity of the 2004/05 drill hole casing maker at Mt Erebus Saddle
*Differences from original Preliminary Environmental Evaluation (PEE)
We completed the mass balance measurement at VLG II. The submergence velocity device (77° 20.81846S; 162° 29.5371 E, Fig. 5) was completely removed.
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Fig. 5: GPS measurement at the VLG II submergence velocity device before its complete removal
ANTARCTIC SPECIALLY PROTECTED AND MANAGED AREAS
Note that all event leaders who hold permits for entry to an ASPA need to complete a Visit Report for each ASPA entered. Please contact Rebecca Roper-Gee, the Environmental Advisor for report forms.
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New ASPA or ASMA designation to be considered:
N.A.
CITED REFERENCES
Bertler, N. A. N., Barrett, P. J., Mayewski, P. A., Fogt, R. L, Kreutz, K. J., and Shulmeister, J., 2004, El Niño suppresses Antarctic warming: Geophysical Research Letters, v. 31.
Hall, B. L, and Denton, G. H, 2000, Extent and chronology of the Ross Sea ice sheet and the Wilson Piedmont Glacier along the Scott Coast at and since the Last Glacial Maximum: Geografiska Annaler, v. 82A, p. 337-363.
Hamilton, G. S., and Whillans, I. M., 2000, Point measurements of mass balance of Greenland Ice Sheet using precision vertical Global Positioning System (GPS) surveys: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 105, p. 16,295-16,301.
Hamilton, G. S., Whillans, I. M., and Morgan, P. J., 1998, First point measurements of ice-sheet thickness change in Antarctica: Annals of Glaciology, v. 27, p. 125-129.
Meyerson, E. A., Mayewski, P. A, Kreutz, K. J., Meeker, L. D., Whitlow, S. I., and Twickler, M. S., 2002, The polar expression of ENSO and sea-ice variability as recorded in a South Pole ice core: Annals of Glaciology, v. 35, p. 430-436.
Mullan, B. A., Wratt, D. S., and Renwick, J. A., 2001, Transient model scenarios of climate change for New Zealand: Weather and Climate, v. 21, p. 3-34.
Steig, E. J., Hart, C. P., White, J. W. C., Cunningham, W. L., Davis, M. D., and Saltzman, E. S., 1998, Changes in climate, ocean and ice-sheet conditions in the Ross embayment, Antarctica, at 6ka: Annals of Glaciology, v. 27, p. 305-310.
Steig, E. J., Morse, D. L., Waddington, E. D., Stuiver, M., Grootes, P. M., Mayewski, P. A., Twickler, M. S., and Whitlow, S. I., 2000, Wisconsian and Holocene climate history from an ice core at Taylor Dome, Western Ross Embayment, Antarctica: Geografiska Annaler, v. 82A, p. 213-235.
Thompson, D. W. J., and Solomon, S., 2002, Interpretation of recent Southern Hemisphere climate change: Science, v. 296, p. 895-899.