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74-669: Download coordinates as: The Guest Peninsula extends westward into the Pacific Ocean from the Fosdick Mountains of the Ford Ranges in Marie Byrd Land. The Sulzberger Ice Shelf and Marshall Archipelago are to the southwest. The Crevasse Valley Glacier enters the ice shelf from the south of the peninsula. Driscoll Island and Block Bay are to the northeast. The Balchen Glacier enters Block Bay to

148-603: A hostile environment requires specialized systems to keep scientists and support staff safe and equipment operational. The Antarctic Program uses a variety of aircraft to transport people and cargo to and from Antarctica, as well as throughout the continent. McMurdo Station maintains two landing strips on the adjacent McMurdo Ice Shelf: Williams Airfield for ski-equipped planes, and Phoenix Airfield for wheeled planes. U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo planes and unique New York Air National Guard ski-equipped LC-130s ferry people and cargo between Christchurch, New Zealand and McMurdo Station. During

222-499: A period called "Mainbody," with fewer flights during the winter months (March – September). South Pole Station is located at the geographic South Pole, on the polar plateau, at an elevation of 2,835 m (9,300 ft) above sea level. The station sits on an ice sheet that is 2,700 m (8,858 ft) thick and drifts with the ice at about 10 m (33 ft) a year toward the Weddell Sea . The mean annual temperature

296-541: A prominent exposure in the northwestern Iphigene massif. The peak is named in recognition of Bruce P. Luyendyk , professor (emeritus), University of California, Santa Barbara , who was active in ground- and ocean-based Antarctic research from 1989 to 2015, significantly advancing the scientific knowledge of the Ross Embayment region of Antarctica . Luyendyk led two on-land expeditions in the Ford Ranges, and

370-420: A small fleet of helicopters, under contract, at McMurdo Station to transport people and cargo around the immediate area of the station. Helicopters also carry scientific survey equipment and reconnoiter landing and scientific sites. Occasionally some of the helicopters will be temporarily set up at larger field camps to enable transport around an otherwise inaccessible region. The current helicopter support contract

444-638: Is 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph), but winds have exceeded 100 knots (190 km/h; 120 mph). McMurdo Sound is a historic area. In 1841, James Clark Ross brought his ships HMS Erebus and HMS Terror into the Sound, farther south than anyone had ever gone, before sailing eastward along a great wall of ice. He and his crew were the first humans to see the island and the ice shelf that both now bear his name. In 1902, Robert F. Scott wintered HMS Discovery in Winter Quarters Bay, adjacent to

518-745: Is a modern, multi-disciplinary research vessel containing six laboratories with a combined space of 353.5 m (3,805 sq ft). It can accommodate 39 scientists and ASC personnel and operates throughout the Southern Ocean. ASRV Laurence M. Gould is 70 m (230 ft) long and is capable of breaking one foot (0.30 m) of first-year ice while maintaining continuous forward progress. Lawrence M. Gould has berthing space to accommodate 28 scientists and ASC personnel. There are an additional nine bunks for passengers transiting to Palmer Station. Lawrence M. Gould transports personnel and cargo to and from Palmer Station and supports research in

592-476: Is about 44 in the summer and 20 or more in winter. Unlike the South Pole and McMurdo stations, Palmer usually receives transportation year-round and does not generally have a period of winter isolation. RVIB Nathaniel B. Palmer is 94 m (308 ft) long and is able to break three feet (0.91 m) of ice at a continuous forward speed of three knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph). Nathanial B. Palmer

666-402: Is for ski-equipped aircraft only. McMurdo also has a heliport to support helicopter operations. Approximately 90% of USAP participants live in or pass through McMurdo Station. The austral winter population ranges from 150 to 200, with the summer population varying between 800 and 1,000. The station has routine weekly flights to and from New Zealand during the austral summer (October – February),

740-455: Is held by Air Center Helicopters. Tractor-pulled convoys or “traverses” are used to transport large quantities of fuel and cargo across large distances. Every year three traverses carrying more than 100,000 gallons of fuel drive the 1,600 km (990 mi) from McMurdo Station to Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station to deliver fuel for the next year. Other "science traverses" transport heavy science equipment to field sites hundreds of miles from

814-706: Is tall, steep-sided ridges, trending north-south, with peak elevations spanning 1000 to 1200 m. The range consists of the Fosdick Metamorphic Rocks of migmatite gneiss and granite . Metamorphism occurred in the middle of the Cretaceous period. Mount Perkins is a Pleistocene volcano within the range. The Fosdick Mountains were discovered by the Byrd Antarctic Expedition (ByrdAE) in 1929, and named by Richard E. Byrd for Raymond B. Fosdick , who became president of

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888-405: Is the primary cause of snow accumulation around buildings. Average wind speed is 10.8 knots. The original station was built in 1956-1957 and is buried beneath the ice. A second station, located under a geodesic dome, was completed in 1975. The Dome was dismantled in 2009-10 and removed from the continent. The current station was dedicated on January 12, 2008. The winter population is around 45, and

962-544: Is –49 °C (–56 °F). Average monthly temperatures range from –28 °C (–18 °F) in the summer to –60 °C (–76 °F) in winter. The record high of – 12.3 °C (9.9 °F) was recorded in December 2011, and the record low of –82.8 °C (–117 °F) was recorded in June 1982. The site has very low humidity, and precipitation is only about 20 cm of snow (8 cm water equivalent) per year. Drifting

1036-688: The Antarctic Treaty , which was signed in 1959. Since then, Treaty nations have agreed to several addenda, including the 1991 Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty which establishes rules and procedures specifically designed to protect the Antarctic environment. The Protocol was ratified and went into effect in 1998. The U.S. Antarctic Program operates three year-round research stations and two research vessels. Additional temporary field camps are constructed and operated during

1110-592: The International Geophysical Year (IGY, 1957–58). The IGY was an intensive, multi-national, multi-disciplinary, global research effort designed to study a wide range of geophysical processes. Much of that effort took place in Antarctica and was crucial in establishing Antarctica as a continent for peace and science. The international coordination that resulted from the IGY ultimately lead to

1184-547: The Rockefeller Foundation . 76°27′S 146°05′W  /  76.450°S 146.083°W  / -76.450; -146.083 . A rock ridge, 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) long and trending north–south on the south shore of Block Bay, 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 km; 4.0 mi) northwest of Mount Iphigene. The feature was photographed and mapped by the USAS, 1939-41, led by Byrd. The naming

1258-547: The South Shetland Islands and westward along the Antarctic Peninsula . Expeditions sponsored by several nations approached the Antarctic continent early in the 19th century. Among the leaders was Charles Wilkes , a U.S. Navy lieutenant who commanded an expedition in 1839–40 that was the first to prove the existence of the continent. His expedition mapped about 2,400 km (1,500 mi) of

1332-817: The United States Antarctic Research Program or USARP and the United States Antarctic Service or USAS ) is an organization of the United States government which has a presence in the Antarctica continent. Founded in 1959, the USAP manages all U.S. scientific research and related logistics in Antarctica as well as aboard ships in the Southern Ocean . The United States established

1406-788: The United States Coast and Geodetic Survey , a member of the National Geographic Society committee of experts which determined that Byrd reached both the North and South Poles by airplane in 1926 and 1929, respectively. 76°23′S 147°09′W  /  76.383°S 147.150°W  / -76.383; -147.150 . An ice saddle just eastward of Mitchell Peak. Mapped by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-65. Named by

1480-671: The Antarctic Peninsula region, is named after Nathaniel B. Palmer, the American sailor who pioneered the exploration of the Peninsula in 1820. The station is located on Anvers Island at 64°46' S, 64°03’ W and consists of two major buildings and several small ones. There is no airfield. Located just north of the Antarctic Circle, the climate is milder than that of the other U.S. Antarctic stations. Temperatures in

1554-582: The Antarctic Peninsula region. Every season the Program establishes several dozen field camps to house researchers and support staff around the continent. These range in size from just two or three people in small pitched tents, to large camps of up to 60 people in temporary shelters, to permanent, hard-walled structures that teams return to year after year. The Astrophysics and Geospace Sciences Program sponsors research areas that either use Antarctica as an observing platform or contribute to an understanding of

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1628-426: The Antarctic Treaty and ensure that this continent will continue to be used only for peaceful purposes and shall not become an area or object of international discord; to foster cooperative scientific research for the solution of worldwide and regional problems, including environmental monitoring and prediction and assessment of resources; and to protect the Antarctic environment and develop appropriate measures to ensure

1702-431: The Antarctic as carried out by the U.S. Antarctic Program. The report states that policies in the 1982 memorandum continue to be appropriate at the current funding level and that present U.S. policy and practice with respect to the U.S. Antarctic Program are well justified. The first Americans to work in the Antarctic were sealers and whalers who discovered many sub-Antarctic islands. They were first to explore parts of

1776-561: The Antarctic coastline in the Indian and Australian quadrants. In 1928–1930 and 1933–1935, Admiral Richard E. Byrd led two privately sponsored expeditions, one that included the first flight over the South Pole in 1929, sparking U.S. interest in Antarctica. The U.S. Antarctic Service Expedition (1939–1940), under the leadership of the U.S. Navy, maintained bases at Marguerite Bay and Bay of Whales . Operation Highjump in 1946–1947

1850-446: The Antarctic continent and surrounding Southern Ocean. The Artists and Writers Program supports participants whose work requires them to be in the Antarctic to complete their project, in particular projects that increase understanding and appreciation of the Antarctic and of human activities on the southernmost continent. PolarTREC (Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating) is an NSF-funded program that brings teachers from

1924-542: The Antarctic that is 'responsive to U.S. scientific, economic, and political objectives. ' " In February 1982 President Ronald Reagan in White House Memorandum 6646 reaffirmed the prior policy and noted that the presence in Antarctica shall include "the conduct of scientific activities in major disciplines" and "year-round occupation of the South Pole and two coastal stations." On 9 June 1994 Presidential Decision Directive NSC 26 ("United States Policy on

1998-532: The Arctic and Antarctic Regions") stated that U.S. policy toward Antarctica has four fundamental objectives: (1) protecting the relatively unspoiled environment of Antarctica and its associated ecosystems, (2) preserving and pursuing unique opportunities for scientific research to understand Antarctica and global physical and environmental systems, (3) maintaining Antarctica as an area of international cooperation reserved exclusively for peaceful purposes, and (4) assuring

2072-535: The Byrd Antarctic Expedition of 1933–35. 76°25′S 147°22′W  /  76.417°S 147.367°W  / -76.417; -147.367 . A solitary peak 13 nautical miles (24 km; 15 mi) west of Birchall Peaks on the south side of Guest Peninsula in Marie Byrd Land. It was sighted by Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd , December 5, 1929, while on an airplane flight over this coast. Named by Byrd for Hugh C. Mitchell, mathematician of

2146-552: The ByrdAE (1933-35) and USAS (1939–41). 76°34′S 144°39′W  /  76.567°S 144.650°W  / -76.567; -144.650 . A peak just west of Reece Pass and 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) south of Mount Colombo in the southeast part of the Fosdick Mountains. Discovered on aerial flights from West Base of the USAS (1939-41). Named for Harrison H. Richardson, meteorological observer with

2220-698: The ByrdAE and named for Henry G. Avers, chief mathematician of the Division of Geodesy, United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. He was a member of the National Geographic Society Commission of Experts which determined that Commander (later Rear Admiral) Richard E. Byrd reached the North Pole by airplane (1926) and the South Pole (1929). 76°28′S 145°06′W  /  76.467°S 145.100°W  / -76.467; -145.100 . A prominent northerly projection from

2294-503: The ByrdAE flight of 5 December 1929. Marujupu combines the letters from the names of three daughters and a son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Hays Sulzberger . The daughters are Marian, Ruth and Judy; Punch is the nickname of son Arthur. The Sulzbergers were patrons of the expedition. 76°29′S 145°21′W  /  76.483°S 145.350°W  / -76.483; -145.350 . A mountain 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) north of Mount Ferranto. Discovered in December 1929 by

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2368-415: The ByrdAE. Named by Byrd for Iphigene Ochs Sulzberger , daughter of Adolph Ochs and wife of Arthur Hays Sulzberger , patrons of the expedition. 76°31′S 145°37′W  /  76.517°S 145.617°W  / -76.517; -145.617 . Conspicuous nunatak standing above the main flow of Ochs Glacier, between Mount Iphigene and Mount Ferranto. Discovered and so named by Rear Admiral Byrd on

2442-536: The ByrdAE. Named by Byrd for Frederick T. Birchall, member of the staff of the New York Times which published the expedition's press dispatches. 76°27′S 146°29′W  /  76.450°S 146.483°W  / -76.450; -146.483 . A rock peak, the northernmost of the Birchall Peaks, on the south shore of Block Bay. Discovered by the ByrdAE (1928-30) and plotted from photos taken on

2516-565: The Chester Mountains. Discovered by a ByrdAE sledging party which visited the area in November 1934. Named for Stevenson Corey, a member of the sledge party. Fosdick Mountains The Fosdick Mountains ( 76°32′S 144°45′W  /  76.533°S 144.750°W  / -76.533; -144.750  ( Fosdick Mountains ) ) are an east–west trending mountain range with marked serrate outlines, standing along

2590-539: The Chester and Fosdick Mountains. Mapped by the USAS (1939–41) and by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos (1959-65). Named by US-ACAN for Gary D. Neptune, geologist with the Marie Byrd Land Survey II, 1967-68 season. 76°40′S 145°08′W  /  76.667°S 145.133°W  / -76.667; -145.133 . Mountain 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) east of

2664-542: The Terra Bus” and the large Kress are used to transport large numbers of people to and from the airfields over the ice roads of McMurdo Station. Passenger vans with wide tires are also used to transport people around McMurdo Station and Amundsen-Scott South Pole station as well. McMurdo Station also has a small fleet of pickup trucks. Each station uses diesel fuel to generate electricity. At McMurdo Station, wind turbines installed by Antarctic New Zealand in 2010 supply about

2738-680: The U.S. Antarctic Research Program (USARP) in 1959—the name was later changed to the U.S. Antarctic Program—immediately following the success of the International Geophysical Year (IGY). Today, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has a Presidential Mandate to manage the United States Antarctic Program, through which it operates three year-round research stations and two research vessels, coordinates all U.S. science on

2812-434: The USAS (1939-41). 76°33′S 145°13′W  /  76.550°S 145.217°W  / -76.550; -145.217 . A mountain 1,120 metres (3,670 ft) high in the south part of the Fosdick Mountains, 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) east-southeast of Mount Ferranto. Mapped by USAS (1939-41) led by R. Admiral R.L. Byrd. Named for George F. Getz, Jr., who, like his father, gave financial support toward

2886-547: The USAS (1939-41). Later mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos (1959-65). So named by US-ACAN because the nunatak is recessed in the ice at the base due to windscooping. 76°32′S 144°08′W  /  76.533°S 144.133°W  / -76.533; -144.133 . A mountain at the east end of the Fosdick Mountains. Discovered by the ByrdAE on the Northeastern Flight of 15-16 December 1934. Named for Jack E. Perkins, biologist at

2960-605: The USAS West Base (1939-41) and the leader of a biological party which visited this area in December 1940. 76°32′S 145°25′W  /  76.533°S 145.417°W  / -76.533; -145.417 . A mountain which forms the extreme southwest projection of the main massif of the Fosdick Mountains. Discovered by a sledging party of the ByrdAE which visited this area in November-December 1934. Named for Felix Ferranto, radio and tractor operator with

3034-511: The United States Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for Clinton S. Davis, BM2, United States Navy, Boatswain's Mate aboard USS Glacier along this coast, 1961-62. 76°29′S 146°20′W  /  76.483°S 146.333°W  / -76.483; -146.333 . Group of peaks 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) west of Mount Iphigene, on the south side of Block Bay. Discovered in 1929 by

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3108-598: The United States to the polar regions to spend three to six weeks participating in hands-on field research experiences. Managed by the Arctic Research Consortium of the United States (ARCUS), the goal is to invigorate polar science education and understanding by bringing educators and polar researchers together. Antarctica is the most remote region of the world, with no native inhabitants or infrastructure and nearly no vegetation. Working in such

3182-762: The air and roughly plotted by the ByrdAE, 1928-30, but mapped definitively by the United States Antarctic Service (USAS), 1939–41. Named by US-ACAN for H. Myron Swarm, USARP ionospheric physicist at Byrd Station in the 1966-67 season. 76°32′S 146°30′W  /  76.533°S 146.500°W  / -76.533; -146.500 . A nunatak at the south end of the Birchall Peaks, 4 nautical miles (7.4 km; 4.6 mi) southwest of Swarm Peak. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos (1959-65). Named by US-ACAN for Robert S. Butcher, builder, United States Navy, at Byrd Station in 1967. 76°36′S 146°22′W  /  76.600°S 146.367°W  / -76.600; -146.367 . An isolated rock on

3256-409: The austral summer. McMurdo Station (77°51' S, 166°40' E), the largest U.S. station in Antarctica, is situated on barren volcanic hills at the southern tip of Ross Island, about 3,827 km (2,378 mi) south of Christchurch, New Zealand and 1,350 km (840 mi) north of the South Pole. The station sits on the eastern shore of McMurdo Sound, the southernmost body of seasonally open water in

3330-586: The biological party which visited this area in 1940. 76°32′S 144°32′W  /  76.533°S 144.533°W  / -76.533; -144.533 . A north-south pass just east of Mounts Colombo and Richardson, in the east part of the Fosdick Mountains. Discovered on aerial flights made from West Base of the USAS (1939-41) and visited by a biological party in 1940. Named for J.A. Reece, radio operator at West Base. 76°35′S 144°37′W  /  76.583°S 144.617°W  / -76.583; -144.617 . A nunatak, badly sculptured away by ice,

3404-471: The conservation and sustainable management of the living resources in the oceans surrounding Antarctica. An April 1996 report, U.S. Antarctic Program , by the President's National Science and Technology Council , directed the establishment of the present Panel and reaffirmed that essential elements of U.S. national and scientific interests are well served by continued involvement in scientific activity in

3478-524: The east side of Sulzberger Ice Shelf, 8 nautical miles (15 km; 9.2 mi) southwest of Mount Iphigene. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos (1959-65). Named by US-ACAN for Steven Mackey, field assistant with the USARP Marie Byrd Land Survey II, summer 1967-68. 76°40′S 145°35′W  /  76.667°S 145.583°W  / -76.667; -145.583 . Group of mountains just north of

3552-416: The equitable and wise use of living and non-living resources… Science has provided a successful basis for international accord, and the Antarctic is the only continent where science serves as the principal expression of national policy and interest." In 1970 and again in 1976 National Security Decision Memoranda (71 and 318) reaffirmed the "importance of maintaining an active and influential U.S. presence in

3626-420: The exploration efforts of Admiral Byrd. 76°34′S 144°50′W  /  76.567°S 144.833°W  / -76.567; -144.833 . A rock bluff on the south side of the Fosdick Mountains, 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) west of Mount Richardson. Mapped by USAS (1939-41) under Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd. Named for Doctor Charles J. Demas who provided medical assistance and supplies for

3700-428: The flight of December 5, 1929. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos (1959-65). Named by US-ACAN for Robert Z. Maigetter, biologist with the USARP Marie Byrd Land Survey II, 1967-68. 76°29′S 146°20′W  /  76.483°S 146.333°W  / -76.483; -146.333 . A rock peak 610 metres (2,000 ft) high which is the easternmost of the Birchall Peaks. Photographed from

3774-542: The great peninsula jutting out of the Antarctic mainland toward South America. Among them was Nathaniel Palmer , who was among the first to see Antarctica, while on board the Hero in 1820, though historians have not settled the question of who discovered Antarctica. James Eights , a geologist from Albany, New York, became the first U.S. scientist to work in Antarctica. In 1830, aboard the Annawan , Eights made investigations in

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3848-447: The history and dynamics of the Antarctic ice sheet and its surrounding ice shelves. Studies of the processes controlling the mass balance and dynamics of the ice sheet are also important. The Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences Program aims to advance understanding of the physics and chemistry of both oceanic and lower atmospheric processes, and environments at high southern latitudes, and their links at local, regional and global scales across

3922-700: The islands near the station. McMurdo Station is resupplied by ship at the end of every summer season. The U.S. Coast Guard heavy icebreaker Polar Star cuts a channel for a cargo ship to pass through and reach the ice pier at the station. A fuel tanker usually follows the cargo vessel to deliver fuel. The Program has a fleet of vehicles to meet a range of needs at each station. A variety of large and small loaders are used to move cargo and other heavy equipment around. Tracked vehicles, including PistenBullys and Hagglunds transport people and equipment over snow and ice covered regions. Smaller snowmobiles are also used for transport across snow and ice-covered areas as well. “Ivan

3996-508: The main massif of the Fosdick Mountains 4 nautical miles (7.4 km; 4.6 mi) northeast of Mount Avers. Discovered by the ByrdAE on a flight on 5 December 1929. Named for Ernest E. Lockhart, physiologist at West Base of the USAS and a member of the biological party which visited this area in 1940. 76°29′S 144°55′W  /  76.483°S 144.917°W  / -76.483; -144.917 . A mountain 1,150 metres (3,770 ft) high between Mount Lockhart and Mount Colombo on

4070-471: The mouth of Crevasse Valley Glacier and 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) north of Saunders Mountain . Mapped by the ByrdAE (1933-35) and named for Colby Mitchell Chester , president of General Foods Corporation , who gave generous support to the Byrd expeditions. 76°37′S 145°18′W  /  76.617°S 145.300°W  / -76.617; -145.300 . A small group of nunataks between

4144-518: The north of the peninsula. The western part of the peninsula is devoid of named features. Mitchell Peak and Davis Saddle are near the center of the peninsula. The Birchall Peaks are east of this, including Maigetter Peak, Swarm Peak and Butcher Nunatak. Features in the southeast of the peninsula include Mackey Rock, the Chester Mountains, Neptune Nunataks and Mount Corey. Features in the northeast include Thompson Ridge, Mutel Peak, Mount Iphigene, Ochs Glacier and Marujupu Peak. |Mitchell Peak, located on

4218-709: The north side of the Fosdick Mountains, 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km; 2.9 mi) east of Mount Colombo. Mapped by USAS (1939-41) and by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos (1959-65). Named by US-ACAN for Commander Charles F. Bird, Meteorological Officer on the Staff of the United States Naval Support Force, Antarctica, 1968. 76°31′S 144°17′W  /  76.517°S 144.283°W  / -76.517; -144.283 . A small but conspicuous nunatak 1 nautical mile (1.9 km; 1.2 mi) west of Mount Perkins. Mapped by

4292-573: The north side of the Fosdick Mountains. Mapped by the United States Antarctic Service (USAS) (1939–41) and by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) from surveys and United States Navy air photos (1959-65). Named by the United States Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for Charles D. Bitgood, geologist with the USARP party to the Fosdick Mountains, 1967-68. 76°31′S 144°44′W  /  76.517°S 144.733°W  / -76.517; -144.733 . A mountainous projection in

4366-517: The northeast part of the main massif of the Fosdick Mountains, standing 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) north of Mount Richardson. Discovered by the ByrdAE on the Eastern Flight of 5 December 1929. Named for Louis P. Colombo, a member of the biological party of the USAS which visited this area in December 1940. 76°30′S 144°36′W  /  76.500°S 144.600°W  / -76.500; -144.600 . A rock bluff on

4440-648: The peak of the Antarctic summer, the ice runways aren't able to support the weight of wheeled aircraft and only planes that can take off and land on skis can operate. For transportation across vast distances around the continent, the Program uses a combination of ski-equipped LC-130s and ski-equipped Basler BT-3 and Twin Otter planes through a contract with through Kenn Borek Air, Ltd.. Ski-equipped planes can land on groomed and maintained ski runways like those at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station and other field camps, or in relatively smooth ungroomed snow. The program maintains

4514-571: The peninsula, was sighted by the first Byrd Antarctic Expedition (ByrdAE) in 1929. This feature was defined and mapped as "Guest Island" by the United States Antarctic Service Expedition in 1940. It was determined to be a peninsula by United States Geological Survey (USGS) cartographers from air photos taken by the United States Navy in 1962–65. It is named for Amy Guest, a contributor to

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4588-468: The remnant of a huge cone of an extinct volcano, located 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) southeast of Mount Richardson. Discovered on 28 November 1934 by Paul Siple and Stevenson Corey of the ByrdAE, 1933-35, who investigated the feature and referred to it as "The Volcano." A form of the original field name has been approved by US-ACAN. United States Antarctic Service The United States Antarctic Program (or USAP ; formerly known as

4662-464: The role played by the Antarctic upper atmosphere in global environmental processes. The Organisms and Ecosystems Program supports research at all levels of biological organization, from molecular, cellular and organismal to communities and ecosystems. The Earth Sciences Program provides insights into Antarctica's geologic history and lead to increased understanding of processes shaping it today. The Glaciology Program supports research concerned with

4736-892: The south side of Balchen Glacier at the head of Block Bay , in the Ford Ranges of Marie Byrd Land , Antarctica. Download coordinates as: The Fosdick Mountains are on the north side of the base of the Guest Peninsula . The Balchen Glacier enters Block Bay to their north, and the Crevasse Valley Glacier flows past their south to enter the Sulzberger Ice Shelf . Northern features from west to east include Mount Avers, Mount Lockhart, Mount Bitgood, Mount Colombo, Bird Bluff, Recess Nunatak and Mount Perkins. Southern features from west to east include Mount Ferranto, Mount Getz, Dermas Bluff, Mount Richardson and Vulcan Nunatak. The dominant topography

4810-417: The southernmost continent , and works with other federal agencies, the U.S. military, and civilian contractors, to provide the necessary logistical support for the science. The U.S. is a signatory to the Antarctic Treaty and the conduct of science is the principal expression of U.S. interest in the Antarctic. In October 1970 President Richard Nixon stated U.S. policy for Antarctica to be: To maintain

4884-537: The station. The program maintains two research vessels, RVIB Nathaniel B. Palmer and ASRV Laurence M. Gould . The ships are used to both transport people and supplies between Palmer Station on the Antarctic Peninsula, and the port at Punta Arenas, Chile, and to embark on longer science-focused voyages to understand the Southern Ocean or visit other remote areas of the continent. Smaller boats at Palmer Station, including inflatable rafts and larger rigid-hulled inflatable boats, are used to transport scientists around

4958-428: The station. Both of Scott's (1901–1904 and 1910–1913) and Ernest Shackleton's (1907–1909 and 1914–1916) expeditions used the area as a base to deploy sledging parties for both scientific exploration and attempts to reach the South Pole. The huts these expeditions built still stand today at Hut Point, Cape Evans, and Cape Royds. The original station was constructed in 1955–1956. With many additions and modernizations over

5032-589: The summer population averages 150. Most Antarctic Program personnel and cargo reach the South Pole from McMurdo Station via LC-130 ski-equipped aircraft, whereas most fuel is transported via surface traverse from McMurdo Station. The short austral summer, when most activity occurs, is from late October through mid-February. The station is isolated for the rest of the year. Research at the South Pole includes astronomy, astrophysics, aeronomy , auroral and geospace studies, meteorology, geomagnetism, seismology, earth-tide measurements, and glaciology. Palmer Station , on

5106-423: The summer range from just below freezing to above 4 °C (40 °F). Winter temperatures range from 0 °C (32 °F) to -10 °C (14 °F). Palmer Station is often windy and wet, with both snow and rain. The water equivalent in snow and rain averages 81 cm (32 in) per year. Wildlife is abundant near the station, which makes it superbly located for ecosystem research. The station population

5180-488: The world. Mount Erebus , a 3,794-meter (12,448 ft) high active volcano, towers over Ross Island. On the west side of the Sound, the Royal Society Range and Mount Discovery , an extinct volcano, provide spectacular vistas. The mean annual temperature is −18 °C (0 °F). Temperatures may reach as high as 8 °C (46 °F) in summer and −50 °C (−58 °F) in winter. The average wind speed

5254-511: The years, today's station is the primary logistics facility for airborne and overland resupply of inland stations and field science projects. The station is also the waste management center for much of the USAP. McMurdo has two airfields. Phoenix Airfield, located about 18 km (11 mi) from McMurdo on the McMurdo Ice Shelf, accommodates wheeled aircraft. Williams Field Skiway, located about 15 km (9.3 mi) from McMurdo

5328-811: Was principal investigator for five marine geophysical expeditions in the Ross Sea . 76°31′S 146°03′W  /  76.517°S 146.050°W  / -76.517; -146.050 . A rock peak 860 metres (2,820 ft) high 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) southwest of Mount Iphigene. Photographed and roughly plotted by the ByrdAE, 1928-30, and USAS, 1939-41. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-65. Named by US-ACAN for Robert L. Mutel, ionospheric physicist at Byrd Station, 1969. 76°31′S 145°50′W  /  76.517°S 145.833°W  / -76.517; -145.833 . Mountain just west of Ochs Glacier between Marujupu Peak and Birchall Peaks. Discovered in 1929 by

5402-563: Was proposed by Admiral Byrd for Gershom J. Thompson, eminent doctor and professor at the Mayo Clinic, who advised on medical questions relating to the Byrd Antarctic Expeditions, 1928-30 and 1933-35, and made financial contributions to them. 76°29′20″S 146°01′37″W  /  76.4888889°S 146.0269444°W  / -76.4888889; -146.0269444 A summit in the western Fosdick Mountains. It forms

5476-591: Was the largest single expedition ever to explore Antarctica, involving 13 naval vessels, numerous airplanes and more than 4,700 men. The next year, the Navy's Operation Windmill used helicopters to complete some of the work begun during Highjump. In 1956–57 the U.S. Navy, during Operation Deep Freeze I, and in conjunction with research teams funded by the National Science Foundation, established seven research stations in Antarctica to prepare for

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