Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 09:54

Hi Nell,

You must have been reading my mind -thanks for all the info about the geologists and their work. The connection is slow to come back here, too - students say they have written and I don't see it for hours. That's so exciting that you saw a whale - wow!

Does the clear ice float on top of the water or just below the surface? How thick is it usually? Does it often have jagged edges or smooth - how much damage would it do to a zodiac? So many more dangers than in temperate waters -be careful. Watch out for leopard seals. Tami

Nell Herrmann

Hi Tami,Tell the students to be patient and to keep checking my journals; it usually takes me several tries to upload everything I want to include. They may even do best to stay a day behind; that way they'll hopefully get the newest version. I'll be posting some videos once I get to Palmer Station; I'm not able to do it from the LMG.
The bar ice is completely clear; he didn't say how large the pieces are so I think there's variation. Part of it will be above the surface and part below the surface and he did say it's very smooth. My impression is that brash ice in particular is more of a problem for the engine, but the pontoons of the zodiac can be punctured (by leopard seals too).
We'll be careful. They have a very specific protocol in place and I'm glad about that...
--Nell