Finally on the ice ...

The whole science team had a couple of hours of  "outdoor" time in McMurdo Sound, about 6 miles from McMurdo Station. It was a perfect time to play soccer, football or just run around the ice and take a ton of pictures.  Outside temperature was -4 degree C and very calm. A great way to relax after a long day!

Mount Erebus erupts

Mount Erebus - the second highest mountain in Antarctica - found on Ross Island in the outskirts of McMurdo Station (US) has just erupted but poses no threat to the inhabitants of the station.

Mount Erebus spewing lava (Photo by Marco Pedulli)

Italica

As we are winding down our science in the Ross Sea, Antarctica we made yet another stop for refueling from the Italian research vessel/tanker Italica about 13 miles from McMurdo Station on Ross Island. After spending a few days at the station the science team will be flown to Christchurch, NZ to catch a flight to the states. So far it has been a wonderful experience!

Sampling Station # 100

A couple of days ago we hit our 100th sampling station. To date we have occupied and sampled 109 stations and surveyed the Ross Sea using VPR (Video Plankton Recorder), SeaHorse (buoy), MVP (Moving Vessel Profiler. XBT (Expendable Bathythermographs), bongo (zooplankton) nets, etc.  It has been a great experience for everyone in the science group and we are all excited to further look at the data as we wind down our cruise. 

A station comprises of a CTD cast (always) and sometimes a trace-metal CTD cast followed by plankton (bongo) net tows. In between stations a VPR or MVP is towed if and when weather conditions are favorable (i.e. ice free and less turbulent ocean conditions).

Below is an example of sampling from a CTD/Rosette as soon as it is hauled back on deck to a room called the Baltic Room.

  

RVIB Lawrence Gould

Lawrence Gould (NBP's sister ship) in the background - far right - in Punta Arenas, Chile  (December 24, 2011)

Photo of the Day

Skua walking on water (Antarctica)

Sky dwellers