Tracking Changes in Photoperiod Around the Globe

Introducing Mystery Class #6

McMurdo is the primary United States research station in Antarctica. McMurdo is a coastal station located on Ross Island at the edge of the Ross Ice Shelf, about, 3,864 km (2,425 miles) south of Christchurch, New Zealand, and 1349 km (839 miles) north of the South Pole. There are two additional U.S. year round research stations in Antarctica, Palmer Station, along the Antarctic Peninsula and Amundsen-Scott Station at the South Pole. During the austral summer, October-February, there are also numerous field camps set up throughout the continent. All of the facilities on the continent are for the purpose of supporting research that is conducted by scientists funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

This is my first year at McMurdo Station. I have spent two previous seasons working on a tour vessel that traveled along the peninsula. I arrived here in August of 1996 and will be here until October 1997. I work in the Mechanical Equipment Center (MEC) at McMurdo. The MEC provides and maintains equipment such as snowmobiles, generators, solar charges, and ice drills to the scientist that are working out in the field. McMurdo is the largest station on the continent with a population of 1300 men and women during the summer months and 155 for the winter.

Other than my co-workers there is little other life on the continent. The only creatures that live on the ice are the majestic emperor penguins. The emperors live and breed on the permanent ice. There are not any colonies near McMurdo but the birds will often pass through on their journey from the sea to the colony. This photograph shows Emperor penguins on the sea ice at Cape Evans, Ross Island. An active volcano, 3,794 meter Mt. Erebus, looms in the background. There are also Adelie penguins in the Ross Island area. Other visitors to the Sound include weddell seals, crab eater seals, south polar skuas, killer whales and minke whales. Most of these are here in only in the warmer summer months. The weddell seals stay through the winter cutting breathing holes through the ice with their teeth.

The mean annual temperature, at McMurdo, is -18C (0F). Temperatures may reach as high as 8C (46F) in summer and -50C (-58F) in winter. The average wind speed is 12 knots, but winds occasionally exceed 100 knots. The sun shines 24 hours a day between October and February and we have 24 hours of darkness from April until August. Our last sunset was April 24. Due to the darkness and extreme temperatures of the winter there is not any field research conducted out of McMurdo and all air support is suspended. The last flight was March 7, after which there are no more regularly scheduled flights.

Two days ago it was announced that there was going to be an emergency medivac flight arriving shortly to take out a member of the community that has become quite ill in the last week. This notification was quite a surprise to all of us since the flight is only the second winter flight to McMurdo in 30 years. People are working around the clock in order to prepare the ice runway. The runway that will be used is located out on the ice shelf some 15 miles from town and has not been used since March 7. The process of re-opening the buildings for use and preparing the landing strip is not an easy task. Snow and ice have literally buried most of the airport. Keeping the runway free of snow is the biggest concern. The plane that will land on the ice is an Air Force, wheeled, C-141. They will land just long enough to load the patient and refuel. We are not counting on receiving any fresh fruit and vegetables or mail on this flight. Though it would be very appreciated.

Wintering at McMurdo can be a trying time for some while for others it is a wonderful opportunity for introspection. The cold and darkness are tough to deal with at times. And we are isolated from the rest of the world with very no opportunity to leave. We all must undergo an extensive series of medical exams and psychological evaluations before being cleared to winter. During the summer there are several flights a day in and out of McMurdo delivering mail from home. In the winter we are without that enjoyment. Fresh fruits and vegetables, or freshies as we call them, are another luxury that we must also forego. Luckily with today's technology telephone calls are possible and we have access to e-mail. We also have a greenhouse with full spectrum lighting that allows us to grow lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and a few other vegetables. We are able to harvest enough to provide several fresh salads per week.

I have enjoyed working with the Journey North project and I hope that all of you have, too. If ever any of you have any questions regarding Antarctica or the work that is done here please do not hesitate to send me an e-mail. I would be happy to answer any questions. The Antarctic is a wonderful place and people should be made more aware of this icy continent and what work is being done here.

Peace,

Cory Shaddox
McMurdo Station, Antarctica
SHADDOCO.MCMURDO@mcmurdo.gov

** Learn all about the coldest place on Earth! Visit USA Today's new Antarctica index