Seismometers populate Borchgrevik Ridge (part 1)
A field team from Princess Elisabeth helps Denis Lombardi from the Royal Observatory of Belgium install seismometers on Borschgrevik Ridge, 32 km away from the station. Dr. Lombardi's goal during the 2013-2014 season is to install a transect of seismometers across the western Sør Rondane Mountains, as part of the GIANT-LISSA research project. The overall objective of the multi-year research project is to collect data that will contribute to a better understanding of the mass balance of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, and learn more about the deep structure of the Antarctic continent and intra-plate seismicity in the region.
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Departure with 5 people and skidoos to the nunatak 32km away identified during the survey.
© International Polar Foundation
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The last slope before reaching the unloading site was covered deep with snow. Even without the boxes on sledges, Expedition leader Alain Hubert almost turned his skidoo on the side with the solar panel structure.
© International Polar Foundation
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From the pass, we had to secure the icy slope with a rope to carry scientific equipment that is supposed to be installed.
© International Polar Foundation
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15 metres to climb with the heavy structure for the solar panel. The solar panel will power the batteries of the seismometer.
© International Polar Foundation
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We had to transport boxes weighing as much as 30 kg.
© International Polar Foundation
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We found the perfect spot to install the seismometer!
© International Polar Foundation
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We have to find four other places to install a seismometer to take measurements over the next few years.
© International Polar Foundation
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The biting wind was blowing at a brisk 50 km/h while we were installing the equipment.
© International Polar Foundation
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The Princess Elisabeth Antarctica technical team has everything one might need when doing field work.
© International Polar Foundation
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Denis Lombardi is installing batteries to make sure the equipment will function without interruption throughout the winter.
© International Polar Foundation
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A brilliant view onto a blue ice field we travelled across while during the survey.
© International Polar Foundation
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A visit to the testing site, where we installed the first seismometer two years ago.
© International Polar Foundation
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Denis Lombardi climbing down the rope to reach the nunatak to install the first seismometer.
© International Polar Foundation
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A general view of the ridge, which is named after Otto Borschgrevik, a Norwegian whaling captain who mapped the coast of this part of East Antarctica in 1931.
© International Polar Foundation
