Last night I got the opportunity to go on a walking tour of the pressure ridges. The pressure ridges are located near the New Zealand Antarctic base (Scott Base). They are the result of the collision of the annual sea ice and the Ross Ice Shelf. The sea ice melts (or at least thins considerably) during the summer months. When this happens, it weakens and is forced into pressure waves of ice as the ice shelf pushes against it. These waves eventually crack, and the pressure ridges are formed. They create large chunks of ice that stick up in all directions, creating an other worldly landscape. At the base of the ridges, the cracks can actually extend to the water below, creating holes for penguins and seals to come up through. Unfortunately, I saw neither on my trip, only footprints. It was definitely a very cool trip, and I will add it to the list of things that I have done down here, that I never thought I would ever get a chance to do in my life. Below are some pictures.
On the work side of things, there is a slight chance that we might launch the ULDB test balloon tomorrow evening. It looks like after tomorrow we will have an extended period of not so good weather, so everyone is working very hard to get the balloon and the payload ready in the hopes that we might be able to launch before the bad weather gets here. Everyone keep your fingers crossed.
Penguin tracks through the snow - you can see that it was sliding on it stomach and pushing with its back feet.
Me standing between 2 ridges with Mt Erebus in the background
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Pressure ridge, with Mt Erebus (background right) and Castle Rock (background left)
I thought this one looked like a shark
WOW! THESE ARE DEFINITELY MY FAVORITE PICTURES SO FAR! The ice formations make for a surreal yet beautiful landscape. It kinda reminds me of rock formations out in Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico (only made of ice of course). I am glad you are getting the unique opportunity to experience some unforgettable things but I really want you to hurry up up and come home! I miss you and will pray for good weather. Love ya always
ReplyDeleteIT DOES LOOK LIKE A SHARK! Did you see any "seal prints" and if so, what do they look like exactly? :)
ReplyDeleteThis also SLIGHTLY reminds me of the BATHS! I say slightly because the formations coming up and around are similar, but the climate sure isn't ;) Cassandra
ReplyDeleteDid this on your mom's thing....sorry
Chris, These are some of the prettiest pictures as of yet. And this happens every year? Your right: who would have ever thought? What a great opportunity. Not many people can say that they have even been to Antarctica.much less have seen all that you are getting to see. Look forward to the next transmission. ILove you, MOM
ReplyDeleteThis certainly seems more appealing than sliding down a dark hole to "I don't know where"! I would do anything to have a camera there.
ReplyDeleteRenee
These pictures are breathtaking Chris! Definitely my favorite ones too. Absolutely beautiful! Hurry back to Cass...please?! Kim
ReplyDeleteAwesome pictures, I envy your opportunity to see all the amazing sites you have. I would say your photography ability is compareable to your wife?!?!
ReplyDeleteLooking again at your pictures, the 2nd one from the bottom looks like a frog sitting there on the ice? It looks to me like a couple of eyes and and mouth? Love Dad ,forgot to put a name on my last posting I made.
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