11 October, 1997

11 October 97

REGIONAL WEATHER SUMMARY....A low over the central Ross Sea continues to weaken as troughing moves across the Ross Ice Shelf.

TODAY...Cloudy with drifting snow.

Visibility: Unrestricted.

Wind: East 10 to 15 knots gusting to 25 knots.

High temperature -09C/+16F. Lowest wind chill -25C/-13F.

TONIGHT...Cloudy with periods of light snow.

Visibility: Unrestricted reduced 1 to 3 in snow.

Wind: East 10 to 15 knots decreasing 7 to 12 after midnight.

Low temperature -13/+09F. Lowest wind chill -29C/-20F

SUNDAY...Cloudy becoming mostly cloudy during the afternoon. Visibility: Unrestricted.

Wind: East 7 to 12 increasing 10 to 15 by noon.

High temperature -08/+18F. Lowest wind chill -24C/-11F

SCOTT BASE 24HR TEMPERATURE FORECAST

HIGH TODAY -12C LOW TONIGHT -16C.

YESTERDAY'S EXTREMES - 10 October, 1997

Maximum temperature: -10C/+17F

Minimum temperature: -14C/+01F

Peak Wind: 38 KNOTS

Lowest wind chill: -45C/-49F

Dr. Donal Manahan, the Principal Investigator (PI) for this research team, left Antarctica today to return to Southern California. Dr. Adam Marsh will now oversee the day-to-day activities and Dr. Manahan will be in contact through e-mail and conference calls.

A storm has just blown in as I write this. It is the first time I've seen anything this severe. The wind is howling. The building is shaking and visibility is very poor. A number of people have gathered in the computer center and look out the windows in amazement. Many came in on the aircraft that landed on the ice today. The storm is a big hit.

Things were somewhat quieter today and many are sick with flu-like symptoms. People here call it the "McMurdo Crud." It's thought that because of the extreme dryness here one's immune system is somewhat compromised. There is a constant threat of dehydration and so one must drink a gallon of water per day. Everyone must check the color of their urine regularly. If you are drinking enough it should be without color.

I ran another experiment to attempt to measure the protein content of the starfish tube feet. This time things worked out better and I have some useful data.

Tomorrow should be an exciting day. We are planning to travel across the sea ice to Cape Evans so that Dr. Adam Marsh can collect some sea urchins. On the return we hope to be able to stop at a very beautiful place known as the Ice Caves. This is where the mount Erebus glacier hits the sea forming a narrow floating glacial tongue. Sometimes the sea ice will crack and a crevasse forms. When the water freezes again it forms a "floor." In the meantime snow may blow over and hide the top portion of the crevasse. The result is an area of cave-like structures which can be explored. Many people have told me how wonderful the Ice Caves are and I'm looking forward to going there. It should be a great day.

Things to ponder:

1. Use the following URL (http://www-rcf.usc.edu/~amarsh/McMurdo/mcm_main.html) and click on the maps. These will help you find Ross Island in the McMurdo Sound of the Ross Sea and a close-up of the area of Ross Island known as Cape Evans. Find McMurdo Station, Cape Evans and the Mt. Erebus glacial tongue.

2. Cape Evans is a very historic place. Continue on this website and read about Captain Robert Falcon Scott's base camp at Cape Evans.

(Go to http://www-rcf.usc.edu/~amarsh/McMurdo/history.html or scroll until you reach the section called "history Corner" and click on the photo).

Scott lived at Cape Evans during his ill-fated expedition to the South Pole (1910-1914). On this website you'll be able to see photos of Scott's Hut, which is still standing and remarkably well preserved. You will even be able to see photos of the interior, complete with food that's in much the same condition as it was in 1914.