Last scientific research expedition of the 2013-14 season and overwintering preparations
As the suns sinks lower over the horizon and Antarctica's austral summer comes to a close, the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica team winds down the 2013-14 season. Here's some photos from the final scientific research project of the 2013-14 season: locatedingthe ideal place for set up a future geomagnetic observatory near the station, and taking geomagnetic measurements at Belgium's former Roi Baudoin station close to the coast. We've also included images of the preparations made to the station for overwintering, before the team depart for the winter.
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A view of the 1km long airstrip at Princess Elisabeth Antarctica.
© International Polar Foundation
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A view of the winter park, located 2km away from Princess Elisabeth Antarctica, which houses all the storage containers.
© International Polar Foundation
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Jean Rasson from the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium and Princess Elisabeth Antarctica team members carrying out a survey for a planned geomagnetic observatory.
© International Polar Foundation
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The "parking lot" in front of the station.
© International Polar Foundation
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Taking an ice core sample for the Alfred Wengener Institute (AWI) on the Antarctic Plateau.
© International Polar Foundation
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Storing sledges and containers for overwintering.
© International Polar Foundation
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Returning from a geomagnetic survey at a temporary camp on an ice shelf.
© International Polar Foundation
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Jean Rasson from the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium taking measurements of the Earth's magnetic field at Belgium's former Roi Baudouin station on the Roi Baudoin Ice Shelf.
© International Polar Foundation
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David and Simon relaxing for a few minutes after refueling before getting back on the 'road'.
© International Polar Foundation
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The wind blows up impressive amounts of snow, which swirls around in every direction and accumulates on our vehicles and equipment, making working outdoors difficult.
© International Polar Foundation
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Setting up several sensors for monitoring wind, temperature, humidity, and solar radiation.
© International Polar Foundation
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Whiteout during a traverse across the ice
© International Polar Foundation
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Drilling into the ice to take an ice core to take an ice density profile for the Glaciology Laboratory at the University of Grenoble (LGGE) for their Glacioclim project.
© International Polar Foundation
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Ice cores are immediately placed in a protective container so they can be analyzed later.
© International Polar Foundation
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The two dots in the distance are the convoy sent from the top of Vesthaugen Nunatak 30 km away from PEA as they return from doing a geomagnetic survey near the coast.
© International Polar Foundation
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Our home away from home while on field expeditions giving a hand to scientists.
© International Polar Foundation
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Princess Elisabeth Antarctica: an oasis on the vast, frozen ice sheet at the bottom of the world.
© International Polar Foundation
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Stopping to rest for a few hours at 2am before we continue on our journey.
© International Polar Foundation
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Small crevasses can be seen along the grounding line, where the continent ends and the ice shelf begins.
© International Polar Foundation
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Returning to camp with the skidoos. Although it is late at night, we still have to make sure they are protected from the wind.
© International Polar Foundation
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After we finish our field expedition, we must load the skidoos onto the sledge before we can drive back to the station.
© International Polar Foundation
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When a hydraulic pipe breaks, we have to repair it on the spot. That's Kristof's job. He's the best.
© International Polar Foundation
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After just one night taking are of repairs, we have to remove all the snow that's accumulated on the tractor in the meantime before we can get moving.
© International Polar Foundation
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We had to do some welding to ensure that oil does not leak.
© International Polar Foundation
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Alain took measurements of 60 stakes along a 180 km stretch for the University of Grenoble's Glaciclim project.
© International Polar Foundation
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Simon proud of the work he's just done installing the the station for the ETHZ.
© International Polar Foundation
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Putting the finishing touches on the chimney of the back up genset to make sure that the snow can't get inside and block the system during the winter.
© International Polar Foundation