Despite a rather rough start to our drilling season here at WAIS Divide, we are steamrolling now and passing all sorts of milestones. Late last week we finally hit 3000 meters. Then only a few days later we passed Dome Fuji (Antarctica) in total depth. Just yesterday we finally passed GISP 2 (Greenland) in total depth making the WAIS Divide Ice Core the DEEPEST American Ice Core EVER drilled (We are currently at just under 3100 m). Our season has been extended by 5 days thereby putting our original goal of 3330 meters possible. Hitting this depth would make the WAIS Divide core the 2nd deepest core every drilled by anyone (2nd only to the Russian Drilled Vostok core which is closer to about 4000 m). Crazy!
Anyhoo. I'm really looking forward to the season wrapping up and to getting home. 10 days of drilling left!
-j
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Snowpitting at WAIS Divide
For the past couple of days here at WAIS Divide, a small number of us have been working on a new back-lit snowpit. We have some media folks here filming clips for a WAIS Divide documentary and part of the footage they requested was inside a backlit pit. We took great care to shave the wall nice and clean. Of all of the pits I've worked on over the past three years, this one certainly came out the nicest. Great annual stratigraphy, spectacular preservation of surface features, and several noteworthy wind crusts. Cool stuff! In this pic, I'm pointing to the largest crust seen in the 2-meter wall. These large crusts could be related to the interesting surface glazes I've also been documenting.
Anyhoo...I'll stop dorking out now.
Ice core drilling is starting to wrap up. We only have about two weeks left. This Saturday we will hit 3000 meters and so everyone is getting excited.
That's it for now. Looking forward to get back home.
-j
Anyhoo...I'll stop dorking out now.
Ice core drilling is starting to wrap up. We only have about two weeks left. This Saturday we will hit 3000 meters and so everyone is getting excited.
That's it for now. Looking forward to get back home.
-j
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
WAIS Divide Recreation (& Update)
Things are rolling along at WAIS Divide. The ice coring is progressing and we are nearing a depth of 3000 meters. The drillers have had to deal with several difficult issues this year with their equipment, but have always been able to get us up and running very quickly. The engineers in their group are absolutely amazing. No drilling issue is too difficult for them to solve.
On the science side of things, we are logging away. There are about 2 and half weeks of drilling left with our goal still sitting around 3300 meters. It's hard to say if we are going to make this goal or fall a little short...but I'm sure it is going to be close. It still boggles my mind to think of how successful this ice-coring project has been. In 3 and a half drilling seasons, we've been able to drill nearly 3 kilometers of ice and we've still got 2.5 weeks to go.
This week, the science techs (the group i'm a part of) finally went to 8 hour shifts. One member of our team was delayed in getting here and finally arrived. This gave us enough people to make 8 hour shifts a reality. Up until now we were doing two 12 hour shifts. It didn't leave much time for any kind of exercise or basic personal time. But now...with 8 hour days I have plenty of time to finally catch up on some science papers and even have a little fun outside. This afternoon a group of us went out and decided to hit some red golf balls around. It was really nice to have a little time to unwind.
As of right now I'm scheduled to leave WAIS around Jan 31st. While I love my great-flat-white 2nd home here in Antarctica....I'm looking forward to getting back home in PA.
On the science side of things, we are logging away. There are about 2 and half weeks of drilling left with our goal still sitting around 3300 meters. It's hard to say if we are going to make this goal or fall a little short...but I'm sure it is going to be close. It still boggles my mind to think of how successful this ice-coring project has been. In 3 and a half drilling seasons, we've been able to drill nearly 3 kilometers of ice and we've still got 2.5 weeks to go.
This week, the science techs (the group i'm a part of) finally went to 8 hour shifts. One member of our team was delayed in getting here and finally arrived. This gave us enough people to make 8 hour shifts a reality. Up until now we were doing two 12 hour shifts. It didn't leave much time for any kind of exercise or basic personal time. But now...with 8 hour days I have plenty of time to finally catch up on some science papers and even have a little fun outside. This afternoon a group of us went out and decided to hit some red golf balls around. It was really nice to have a little time to unwind.
As of right now I'm scheduled to leave WAIS around Jan 31st. While I love my great-flat-white 2nd home here in Antarctica....I'm looking forward to getting back home in PA.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!
Well here it is. 2011. I already posted my 2010 year in review last month, but I just wanted to welcome in the new year from WAIS Divide. 2010 was a wonderful year and I can only hope that 2011 brings me just as many wonderful memories. The above pic is from the PCT kick off last April. If time permits, and money allows, I may try to attend the kickoff again next year just to reconnect with people that I met this past summer.
I am excited about another year that I can fill up with fun and exciting new experiences!
now get out there and get to some living people...
I am excited about another year that I can fill up with fun and exciting new experiences!
now get out there and get to some living people...
Saturday, December 25, 2010
3rd Christmas in Antarctica!
Merry Christmas from WAIS Divide, Antarctica.............again.
Yep. 3rd year in a row where I've exchanged gifts thousands of miles from civilization. This year's was the best WAIS Christmas yet. With only 37 people at camp, it was a very nice celebration. I got a nice new hand-knit wool hat in the gift exchange. The chefs here again shocked-and-awed us with the dinner. We have three new and very different cooks this year and they floored us last night with the meal. We were treated to Lobster, Fillet Mignon, Cheese Fondue, Flourless chocolate-raspberry tart cake, Red wine, good laughs, and good people. We even had a TV playing a looping DVD of a fireplace at the end of the table. It was fantastic. With that said however, I couldn't help but let my mind wander back home. This year was certainly one of the hardest to be away for the Holidays. We make the best of the situations we are put in though...no?
So enjoy the holidays everyone, be it Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan....or as some of us call it Rama-Hanu-Kwanz-Mas :-D
Tell your parents you love them, hug a friend, help someone with their groceries, be thankful for all that you've been given, and keep on enjoying the most precious gift of all....this wonderful life you've been given.
I am thankful for so many wonderful things I've been able to do this year and most importantly, for all the wonderful people in my life.
...now, time to go drill some ice cores! Yay for Science!
Yep. 3rd year in a row where I've exchanged gifts thousands of miles from civilization. This year's was the best WAIS Christmas yet. With only 37 people at camp, it was a very nice celebration. I got a nice new hand-knit wool hat in the gift exchange. The chefs here again shocked-and-awed us with the dinner. We have three new and very different cooks this year and they floored us last night with the meal. We were treated to Lobster, Fillet Mignon, Cheese Fondue, Flourless chocolate-raspberry tart cake, Red wine, good laughs, and good people. We even had a TV playing a looping DVD of a fireplace at the end of the table. It was fantastic. With that said however, I couldn't help but let my mind wander back home. This year was certainly one of the hardest to be away for the Holidays. We make the best of the situations we are put in though...no?
So enjoy the holidays everyone, be it Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan....or as some of us call it Rama-Hanu-Kwanz-Mas :-D
Tell your parents you love them, hug a friend, help someone with their groceries, be thankful for all that you've been given, and keep on enjoying the most precious gift of all....this wonderful life you've been given.
I am thankful for so many wonderful things I've been able to do this year and most importantly, for all the wonderful people in my life.
...now, time to go drill some ice cores! Yay for Science!
Friday, December 17, 2010
That's a nice piece of ash
...and we're in production mode here at WAIS Divide. Today was our first full day of drilling, and it went really well. On our first core up, we discovered this beauty. A 1cm thick, dark ash layer. At this depth, that 1cm would have been almost 4cm at the surface....that's a lot of ash. We're talking one heck of an eruption nearby. Not sure which Volcano just yet, but I surmise either Mt. Takahe, Mt. Berlin, or another from West Antarctica.
Tomorrow we have our 2nd annual Sea-level beach party, should be fun. Otherwise, not much new to report. another science group rolled in to town today that is doing a traverse around West Antarctica to drill small cores and dig snow pits.
pushing ahead...
Tomorrow we have our 2nd annual Sea-level beach party, should be fun. Otherwise, not much new to report. another science group rolled in to town today that is doing a traverse around West Antarctica to drill small cores and dig snow pits.
pushing ahead...
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Snowblowing at WAIS
Hi again from WAIS Divide, Antarctica. Not much new to report on the science front other than drilling may start today! The drillers and Ice Core Lab reps just have a few software patches to install, and we can begin.
On the side, I completely finished sampling the snowpit and have entered all the data. This is a nice weight off my back as it is always stressful hoping bad weather doesn't drift in the pits. Now it can drift in all it wants.
The heavy machine operators cleared out the tertiary door for the drilling arch using the pisten-bully with the giant snowblower attachment (Zogg?). It's really amazing to watch it go. The snow it shoots out looks all fluffy and light, but it really is fully of icy, dense chunks. You wouldn't want to be under it...that's for sure.
That's it for now.
Loving life...but missing home
-john
On the side, I completely finished sampling the snowpit and have entered all the data. This is a nice weight off my back as it is always stressful hoping bad weather doesn't drift in the pits. Now it can drift in all it wants.
The heavy machine operators cleared out the tertiary door for the drilling arch using the pisten-bully with the giant snowblower attachment (Zogg?). It's really amazing to watch it go. The snow it shoots out looks all fluffy and light, but it really is fully of icy, dense chunks. You wouldn't want to be under it...that's for sure.
That's it for now.
Loving life...but missing home
-john
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Snowpitting in West Antarctica
Yet again I find myself digging away. This year's 2-meter snow pit was dug in a single day thanks to the help of some fellow science techs and grad students. I've already taken density and isotope samples and will be doing some demethyl pthalate sampling tomorrow.
We've packed up the last of the ice cores form last year and they will be shipping out on tomorrow's flight. Things are going pretty well overall, and the drillers are really close to starting some test runs. NSF reps will be arriving at camp tomorrow to evaluate the site and the project....we are all on our best behavior.
Earlier today the folks on the Pine Island Glacier traverse rolled through town in 3 Challengers and a Tucker. It was quite the motorcade.
We finally got workable internet here, so I was able to check my gmail account (albeit very very slowly).
Today is Sunday at camp, so we all are taking the day off. I've been organizing PCT photos and writing lots of postcards and letters.
That's about it...
...moving ahead...
We've packed up the last of the ice cores form last year and they will be shipping out on tomorrow's flight. Things are going pretty well overall, and the drillers are really close to starting some test runs. NSF reps will be arriving at camp tomorrow to evaluate the site and the project....we are all on our best behavior.
Earlier today the folks on the Pine Island Glacier traverse rolled through town in 3 Challengers and a Tucker. It was quite the motorcade.
We finally got workable internet here, so I was able to check my gmail account (albeit very very slowly).
Today is Sunday at camp, so we all are taking the day off. I've been organizing PCT photos and writing lots of postcards and letters.
That's about it...
...moving ahead...
Friday, December 10, 2010
Beautiful Blue Day in West Antarctica
The beautiful wide open West Antarctic Ice Sheet. We're here and we are prepping to drill some ice core. The past week has been all about clean up. This past winter was not kind to the camp and a lot of heavy drifting buried everything. So...over the last 6 days, we've spent cleaning the ice core arch and prepping last year's ice (that we stored in the basement) for shipment. Today, 256 meters of core were sent out on an LC-130 herc cold-deck flight. It's a good feeling knowing that another batch of very important scientific data have begun their journey back to the laboratories in the States.
Anyhoo, we are looking to start drilling in about 5 days! Looking forward to the start of what is supposed to our final season. Still can't believe i've been here three years in a row now. Almost feels like a second home.
There will be a polar-trec satellite phone media event live from our camp that I will be a part of on Dec 16th. I will have more details soon but anyone call go online to view the slideshow and phone in to our number to hear us live. The plan is for us to talk about camp life in Antarctica and to give a primer on ice-core science.
shoot me an email if you're bored too and let me know if you want a postcard from Antarctica!
fegyvejo@wais.usap.gov
Anyhoo, we are looking to start drilling in about 5 days! Looking forward to the start of what is supposed to our final season. Still can't believe i've been here three years in a row now. Almost feels like a second home.
There will be a polar-trec satellite phone media event live from our camp that I will be a part of on Dec 16th. I will have more details soon but anyone call go online to view the slideshow and phone in to our number to hear us live. The plan is for us to talk about camp life in Antarctica and to give a primer on ice-core science.
shoot me an email if you're bored too and let me know if you want a postcard from Antarctica!
fegyvejo@wais.usap.gov
Sunday, December 5, 2010
WAIS Divide, Antarctica - Take 3
Welcome again to the great flat white! After 12 days slumming around McMurdo, we finally got a flight out to WAIS Divide. It's a good thing too, as weather has turned quite foul in Mactown.
I again have very limited email access at camp, but no real internet this year (it's supposedly there, but doesn't really work). Luckily, I can still send small emails to my blogger/flickr account (like I did on the PCT) and have them posted here! Unfortunately, the pics have to be limited to 50k or less...so they will be low-res for sure. Which reminds me, for family and friends that have asked...It does get rather lonely out here in the middle of nowhere, so feel free to send emails my way if you feel like it (or if you want a postcard - let me know). My temporary WAIS account (limited to 50k size emails incoming too) is:
fegyvejo@wais.usap.gov
We have been cleaning, preparing and training for what should be our final season down here. Ice-coring should begin in about a week. This year I will not be taking physical properties samples in the field, but will be working as a science tech and core handler. I am also digging a snow pit, taking density and water isotope samples, taking permeability samples, drilling a small 4 meter firn core, and measuring insolation (long and shortwave). I hope to do a surface energy balance study at some point down the line.
Well....wish us luck on a successful season!
(pic is of tent city - where we sleep. My tent is the yellow one :-)
I again have very limited email access at camp, but no real internet this year (it's supposedly there, but doesn't really work). Luckily, I can still send small emails to my blogger/flickr account (like I did on the PCT) and have them posted here! Unfortunately, the pics have to be limited to 50k or less...so they will be low-res for sure. Which reminds me, for family and friends that have asked...It does get rather lonely out here in the middle of nowhere, so feel free to send emails my way if you feel like it (or if you want a postcard - let me know). My temporary WAIS account (limited to 50k size emails incoming too) is:
fegyvejo@wais.usap.gov
We have been cleaning, preparing and training for what should be our final season down here. Ice-coring should begin in about a week. This year I will not be taking physical properties samples in the field, but will be working as a science tech and core handler. I am also digging a snow pit, taking density and water isotope samples, taking permeability samples, drilling a small 4 meter firn core, and measuring insolation (long and shortwave). I hope to do a surface energy balance study at some point down the line.
Well....wish us luck on a successful season!
(pic is of tent city - where we sleep. My tent is the yellow one :-)
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