Forums
Adaptations of Marine Worms in Antarctica

We usually push snow against the dive hut on all sides. Can you guess why we do that?

tow and snowYou can see the large white frame, which lays down and is used to tow the dive hut. Also, note the snow around the sleds.
Tue, 09/06/2011 - 21:17

Anonymous

Interesting question! I can't wait to see what people guess. I have an idea but don't want to be a spoiler :)Great journals and photos. The whole gearing up for diving is very interesting! I don't know about that hole you all have to go through! Looks small.
Thanks for sharing.
Janet

Wed, 09/07/2011 - 00:24

Michael League

Thanks, Janet! Four-foot diameter, so I can squeeze through. Lots moreabout gearing up coming tomorrow. Can't wait to share! We can't wait
to see the guesses for what everyone thinks about the snow around the
dive hut.
Mike

Wed, 09/07/2011 - 05:59

Anonymous

I have two theories on why you need to pile the snow around the dive hut: first, just like your tents needed to be tightly secured against the strong Antarctic winds, I would think your dive huts could be in jeopardy of blowing over, so the snow helps to secure them. Second, the piled snow must offer some insulation against the winds blowing up into the huts through the sled skids. Lynn G

Wed, 09/07/2011 - 16:09

Michael League

Lynn,You are so smart! The snow does two important things. One, it helps
secure the hut to the ice. We pack the snow in and then it freezes the
hut in place. When the wind really blows (like it is today), unsecured
huts can be moved around. Two, it helps to block the wind from blowing
up through the hole in the floor. Without snow packed around the dive
hut, it would be very drafty, sitting around the hole, getting ready for
a dive.
Hit up my email (mleague@polartrec.com) with your mailing address and
we'll get a postcard out to you from Antarctica.
Mike