Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 12/04/2007 - 18:38

 

When you are drilling holes and determining the age of the ice, can you tell if there ever were any earthquakes in Antarctica and how long ago they appeared? If it is possible, how can you tell? Has this been tried before? Is it possible to tell its intensity? Is it possible for it to have created a fault anywhere on that continent? If so, would it be visible? What has so far been the coolest thing you have done? Have you seen any penguins yet?  Is the landscape all white and flat or is there some variation in the form of mountains?  Is the weather predictable or do you go to sleep afraid the temperature will drop dramatically and everyone will freeze? What do you use to keep warm at night? Is there anything you miss about your home-state or school or are you totally and completely absorbed by the expedition?

 

Yeah, I think I am out of questions for the moment!Innocent

Meow! 

Brandon Gillette

Because of the amount of ice it is very difficult, if not impossible to tell if there have been any earthquakes.  The problem is that even if there was one, it would most likely not break the surface and the ice would just settle into it's new place.  There are probably faults in Antarctica, however, again with the ice thing, we wouldn't be able to see them.  I may add more later on this subject after I speak with some people more equiped to answer.The coolest thing so far would probably be Happy Camper school or the crevasse training.  Both activities got us into the field and doing things we'd never done before.  No penguins.  Depending on where you look the landscape is quiet beautiful.  There are large areas of flat from the sea ice and ice shelves, but from McMurdo there is a great view across McMurdo sound of the Transantarctic Mountains and what they call the Royal Society Range.  Very beautiful!  Weather is predictable much like back in the states, a few days ahead of time.  Keeping warm isn't an issue so much now since we're staying in dorms, and as I've indicated in previous posts, layering of the clothes is the key while in the field.  There are things I miss, but I just try not to think about them too much.  That's a good way to get homesick.
Cheers,~Gillette