During the last four days, the ONH team has went all out over the multi year ice, breaking records (set this season) in obtaining seismic data over 6 - 7 meter sea ice. We have had glorious weather (light winds and mainly sunny skies), with all of the equipment break downs fixed by having various people all pulling together in identifying the problem and then repairing it, without major loss in time. The result is that we are now only 3.3 km from completing the 48 kilometers of seismic data we had set out to do. If the weather continues and the equipment behaves well, we are determined to try to make it to the end by tomorrow.
On November 17, we had several equipment breakdowns (including the drill motor and the winch), but were able to fix them and still do 2.1 km of seismics. We also had a bit of snow. Large snowflakes falling from low clouds with blue sky above them peaking through. The results was a sparkling landscape as the skies cleared.
Stian and Dave by the airgun.
On November 18th, one of our drillers (Kyle Webster) left our camp for permafrost drilling with Ronald Sletten in the Dry Valleys. Kyle was fantastic, working his tail off day in and day out on the drill rig and a great person to have a beer with in the evening. He will be missed.
We had another penguin sighting today.
The Challenger with Mt Erebus in the background.
Later, at 6 pm, the video conferencing team (Joanna, Eric, Steve, Dave, and Shakira) left back to McMurdo Station.
Mt Lister and the Royal Society Mountain Range from the Helicopter.
It was an evening of doing laundry and waking up at 2 am for the video conferencing. the students have been incredible, with great questions and interesting dialogue. I look forward to seeing them next week. When we returned the next day on November 19th, the seismic team had completed 2.6 km more seismics.
The seismic team from the air.
Today, we set yet another new record for obtaining seismic data over the sea ice by doing 3.4 km. we now have only 3.3 km to do. The team is psyched to finish it tomorrow. Today, when I worked with the drilling team, it was all focus and little time for play as we drilled each hole in 15 minutes or less. Mind you, the sea ice thickness ranged from 6.6 to 7.2 meters. Just incredible.
