Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 12/10/2008 - 15:23
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Oden Antarctic Expedition 08

hi this is rachel from your block ac1 class. i was wondering if the oden ship harms the ice and the animals under it when it moves over the ice. And if the ship leaves a huge dent in the ice. Anyway looks like your trip is pretty awsome besides no sleep of course. have an awsome time!!

 

    sincerly, RachelCool

Sun, 12/14/2008 - 18:46

Jeff Peneston

Rachel!
First, I am sorry that it has taken me so long to reply to your question but here goes.
The Oden does leave a clear path through the sea ice behind it.  When the ship is going through the ice it pushes the large slabs (floes) around and cuts through others.  The sea ice is generally about 3 feet thick and the broken slabs are turned over and pushed aside by the ship.  The underside of the ice is a light brown color because that is where the algae lives and krill live in the nooks and crannies in the bottom of the ice too.  Sometimes when the ship turns the ice over, the krill come with it.  The sea birds that follow the ship really like this because they can fly in and eat the krill.
Take care, and keep reading my journals,
Jeff