Inside Volcanic Fumaroles

By far, one of the most amazing experiences that I had while in Antarctica was exploring inside the volcanic fumaroles of the southernmost active volcano in the world, Mt Erebus. Words can hardly describe my experience.

The ice tower formations that grow above each fumarole.

Inside, delicate crystals dangle off the ceiling.

Dr's Bill McIntosh and Nelia Dunbar relax in an atmosphere that feels almost like being underwater.

Large faceted snow crystals on the ceiling.

Ice formations unique to every fumarole.

Ice caverns bring you to a new room around every corner. It's hard to believe you're traveling under the ice of Mt. Erebus' slopes thanks to the heat released from the ingneous rocks below.

The most beautiful colors I have ever seen.

Bill McIntosh ascends out of a volcanic fumarole deep in the slopes of the world's southern most active volcano in the world, Antarctica's Mt. Erebus.

Landscape

A crack is formed in the sea ice at the toe of the Barnes Glacier. In less than a month, warmer ocean temperatures will continue to melt the sea ice causing it to become thinner, fractures will become larger, and eventually large plates of ice will be released into the Southern Ocean. At this very point, the face of the Barnes Glacier will then meet open water.

A stormfront rolling in off the Southern Ocean is captured over wind-sculpted snow called "sastrugi"



Mt Discovery



Hut Point Peninsula



The LDB balloon project is one of the many science projects occuring out of McMurdo Station this season. This project released three balloons to an elevation of 123,000-131,000 feet (almost 25 miles high) each of which carry a payload that monitor cosmic ray elements or antimatter, one of the rarest and most elusive particles in the Universe.



A contrail is captured off the rotors of a Bell 212 as it prepares to drop a slingload of fuel at 11,500 feet on Mt Erebus.



The shadow of a Bell 212 is captured on the southern flanks of Mt Erebus.




Aerial view of Turtle Rock and the trail taken by the divers who study the reefs below the frozen sea ice

An aerial view of the Erebus Glacier tongue while flying over the sea ice. This 7 mile floating glacier forms a series of "lobes" on its outer edges as gravity pushes the center forward, leaving behind the ice with the most resistance to form like a feather.

South Pole

The celebratory South Pole!

The geographic South Pole with the new United States Amundsen-Scott Station on the right and the old dome station on the left. The new station dedication occurred on Jan 21st of this year, officially replacing the 1975 icon.

View of the South Pole station and adjoining "departmental" Jaimesways

Unique patterns in the ceiling of the old South Pole Dome. Look closely and you'll see a rubber chicken with a rope tied around its neck dangling off the peak, just a little South Pole humor.

The new station only sleeps 150 people, leaving the remaining 90 employees outside living in Jamesways, or weatherports, a 1/4 mile away. The floor of these accomodations typically hoovers around 0˚F, while the 6 X 10 dimensions make for a cozy space. If you come as a couple, you'll be lucky enough to qualify for one of these 'larger' rooms.

Water wells and plumbing needs at the South Pole require unique and creative engineering. Down in the tunnels, 60 feet below the station's footprint, you will find the pipes which respectively carry both. This 'poop tube' runs 1800 feet to a melted out 'teardrop' deep in the ice, a holding tank for human waste. When this one fills, the tube will be redirected to the next teardrop, a hole created from recirculating hot water and used for the station's drinking water. The temperatures of these tunnels are an amazing -60˙F!

Ever look down a 24oo meter hole? That's over 7800 feet (or a mile and a half) of melted ice into the bottom of the world. Around 2 1/2 feet wide, this hole is one of 18 scientists are drilling this year at the south pole in their creation of a neutrino observatory. Why study neutrinos? Nearly impossible to detect, neutrinos are created during the most violent events of the solar system: black holes, gamma ray bursts, and supernovas. By tracking neutrino movement, scientists will be able to gather more information about distant cosmic events like never before. Upon its completion, the IceCube project will be one of the most expensive Antarctica projects yet, costing around $272 million dollars.

One of 4800 DOM's, or Digital Optical Modules that are used to detect neutrinos. Each hole contains 60 of these sensors. By the end of the project, 80 holes will be drilled.

Inside just one of the many buildings full of generators used to power the IceCube project

Lead carpenter Don Potter stands in front of the South Pole Telescope. Powerful enough to go back in time 400,000 years after the "Big Bang," this telescope will detect the energy that existed before atomic particles, as we know them, were created. It's goal is to help scientists understand the evolution of the universe.


Even the South Pole has a thrift shop...

Weather balloons are released all around the world, twice a day, in order to gather meteorlogical information used in weather forecasting. I figure, there's no better place to help release one of these balloons than from the South Pole itself!

South pole as seen from the air. On the upper right side of the airplane track is the station itself, while the lower left is a view of two of the large science experiments currently being conducted at the bottom of the world.

Departure

The day has finally come to say goodbye to this amazing place. Once again, the US Airforce will transport us in their C17. But this time, it will be back to the land of green, warmth, and smells that we have not experienced for over 4 months.

The arriving 'winter-overs' say goodbye to their friends after returning from Christchurch, NZ after their medical check over.

I am happy to be leaving and am thankful for such an incredible experience in the polar south

As we all load the plane, I notice.....

no one is looking back.

Flying over the most impressive scenery of glaciers meeting the sea...

made me realize...

I am hooked on Antarctica, and know that I will return again next year.


I hope that you have enjoyed my journey south, to the bottom of our world!