Our penpal from Antarctica, John Miller, USAP, has sent us some photos from his new station in Antarctica. When we last saw John, after his brief visit back to the USA, he was at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. But now he is re-located to the McMurdo Station on the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica. It is actually on Ross Island, but the island is surrounded by ice. In the photos you will see John at the sign at McMurdo. Also, you will see a photo of a lone penguin molting (getting his feathers). All the other penguins left for the Antarctic winter, I was told. This lone one was a bit late, but he is leaving too. I'm not sure where they are going; we will have to ask John in our next email exchange. McMurdo is different from South Pole in many ways. McMurdo is a bit warmer but more windy and at a much lower altitude. It is easier to breath at McMudro, and there are more USAP members there and more buildings. But the South Pole is... well... the South Pole, the most remote and exotic place on Earth. But we are looking forward to learning about life at McMurdo.
Below are a few comments directly from John Miller in his latest correspondence with us:
Mcmurdo Station is ... located at sea level so it is much easier to breath here. Pole elevation is 9343 ft, and with the low barometric pressure caused by the extremely low humidity, the equivalent altitude is anywhere from 10,500 to 12,000 feet. Also a reason for the warmer temperatures (in a manner of speaking) here as well.
The cold here is exasperated by wind that blows pretty much 24/7. Typical wind speed is around 20-30 mph, with gusts that have been know to reach well over 100 mph. I believe the top wind speed recorded was around 150 mph. Those of you in New Orleans know all about that.
And the wind can really make working outside miserable. Not only do you have snow blowing around, there is also a fine/gritty volcanic dust that gets into everything, especially your eyes and mouth. At the pole you have snow; and more snow; and even more snow....
Did I mention the snow at the Pole?
Honestly, if I had a choice, I would rather work in -75 and little or no wind, than in -10 with 30 mph wind.
Most of the wild life that is here in the summer has departed for the winter, including our lone penguin that was molting at the time. Penguins cannot swim while molting so they pretty much just sit in one place for the duration. I'm glad this guy left when he did, otherwise he would not have been able to feed because of the lack of open water.
Even the Weddell seals have left the area, along with the Antarctic Skua, and Turn. Only thing here is us dummies. And we won't see another plane until the end of August.
The cold here is exasperated by wind that blows pretty much 24/7. Typical wind speed is around 20-30 mph, with gusts that have been know to reach well over 100 mph. I believe the top wind speed recorded was around 150 mph. Those of you in New Orleans know all about that.
And the wind can really make working outside miserable. Not only do you have snow blowing around, there is also a fine/gritty volcanic dust that gets into everything, especially your eyes and mouth. At the pole you have snow; and more snow; and even more snow....
Did I mention the snow at the Pole?
Honestly, if I had a choice, I would rather work in -75 and little or no wind, than in -10 with 30 mph wind.
Most of the wild life that is here in the summer has departed for the winter, including our lone penguin that was molting at the time. Penguins cannot swim while molting so they pretty much just sit in one place for the duration. I'm glad this guy left when he did, otherwise he would not have been able to feed because of the lack of open water.
Even the Weddell seals have left the area, along with the Antarctic Skua, and Turn. Only thing here is us dummies. And we won't see another plane until the end of August.
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