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76-661: Download coordinates as: The Flood Range is south of the Hull Glacier and Kirkpatrick Glacier , which drain into Hull Bay on the Southern Ocean coast of Marie Byrd Land. The eastern end of the range is immediately south of the Ames Range . There are no named features in the ice sheet to the south of the range. The north slopes of the range form the western end of the Usas Escarpment . The Flood Range

152-516: A builder who wintered over at South Pole Station, 1969. 76°02′S 134°17′W  /  76.033°S 134.283°W  / -76.033; -134.283 . A rounded, snow-covered elevation 2,680 metres (8,790 ft) high that rises slightly above the general level of the extreme east part of the Mount Moulton massif. Mapped by USGS from ground surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-66. Named by US-ACAN for Robert E. Kohler of

228-603: 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

304-509: A member of the USARP team that studied ice sheet dynamics in the area northeast of Byrd Station in the 1971-72 season. 76°03′S 135°07′W  /  76.050°S 135.117°W  / -76.050; -135.117 . A small peak 3,070 metres (10,070 ft) high just southwest of the summit of Mount Moulton. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-66. Named byUS-ACAN for Dale R. Britt, BU2, United States Navy,

380-634: A member of the survey party which sledged to the west end of the Flood Range in December 1940. 75°59′S 135°18′W  /  75.983°S 135.300°W  / -75.983; -135.300 . A spur with a small rock exposure along its crest, located on the lower northwest slopes of Mount Moulton. Mapped by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-65. Named by

456-513: A northwest direction to Hull Bay on the coast of Marie Byrd Land. It passes Smoot Rock, Frost Cliff and Mount Steinfeld, which lie to the north. West of Mount Steinfeld it is joined from the right by Kirkpatrick Glacier, which flows down from Strawn Pass to the south of McDonald Heights . The combined glacier flows past the Erickson Bluffs , which lie to the northeast, and is joined from the left by Rubey Glacier. It passes Miller Spur on

532-499: 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

608-420: 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

684-638: 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

760-625: Is a glacier, about 35 nautical miles (65 km; 40 mi) long, flowing northwest between Mount Giles and Mount Gray into Hull Bay , in Marie Byrd Land , Antarctica. The Hull Glacier was discovered by the United States Antarctic Service (USAS; 1939–41) and was named for Cordell Hull , the United States Secretary of State . Download coordinates as: The Hull Glacier flows in

836-681: 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

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912-476: 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

988-552: Is conspicuous from a great distance, marking the base of Mount Berlin at the northeast side. Mapped by USGS from ground surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-66. Named by US-ACAN for Dennis S. Walts of the United States Weather Bureau, meteorologist at South Pole Station, 1970. 76°03′S 135°35′W  /  76.050°S 135.583°W  / -76.050; -135.583 . A broad snow-filled saddle between Mount Berlin and Mount Moulton in

1064-402: 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),

1140-455: 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

1216-405: 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

1292-823: Is the secondary summit and is located 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) west of Berlin Crater. The peak was discovered and charted by the Pacific Coast Survey Party, led by Leonard Berlin, of the United States Antarctic Service in December 1940. Subsequently mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-66. Named by US-ACAN for Frank H. Merrem, Jr., ionospheric physicist and Scientific Leader at South Pole Station, 1970. 76°06′S 135°56′W  /  76.100°S 135.933°W  / -76.100; -135.933 . A group of rocks that outcrop near

1368-488: 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

1444-688: 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

1520-592: 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

1596-547: 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

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1672-653: 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 the U.S. Antarctic Research Program (USARP) in 1959—the name was later changed to

1748-601: The 1956 Army-Navy Trail Party that blazed trail from Little America V to 80|S, 120|W, to establish Byrd Station. 76°03′S 136°30′W  /  76.050°S 136.500°W  / -76.050; -136.500 . A crevasse field, 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) in extent, located immediately west of Mount Berlin. Mapped by USGS from ground surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-66. Named by US-ACAN in association with Mount Berlin. 76°01′S 136°16′W  /  76.017°S 136.267°W  / -76.017; -136.267 . A rocky knoll or ledge on

1824-671: 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

1900-582: 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

1976-561: 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

2052-446: 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

2128-528: The Byrd Station Traverse of 1962-63. 75°59′S 135°56′W  /  75.983°S 135.933°W  / -75.983; -135.933 . A small but distinctive peak 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km; 2.9 mi) southeast of Brandenberger Bluff on the lower north slopes of Mount Berlin. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-65. Named by US-ACAN for Master Sergeant Samuel J. Fields, United States Army, member of

2204-401: The Byrd Station Traverse of 1962-63. Features on or near Mount Bursey include Starbuck Crater, Koerner Bluff, Heaps Rock and Hutt Peak in the south, Syrstad Rock and Bursey Icefalls in the north. 76°01′S 132°38′W  /  76.017°S 132.633°W  / -76.017; -132.633 . A broad, ice-covered mountain, 2,780 metres (9,120 ft) high, which forms the east end of

2280-679: The Byrd Station Traverse, 1962-63. 76°00′S 132°46′W  /  76.000°S 132.767°W  / -76.000; -132.767 . A rock exposure above Bursey Icefalls and 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) west-northwest of Hutt Peak on the Mount Bursey massif. Mapped by USGS from ground surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-66. Named by US-ACAN for Kenneth L. Heaps, meteorologist at South Pole Station, 1970. 76°01′S 132°39′W  /  76.017°S 132.650°W  / -76.017; -132.650 . A small but sharply rising snow-covered peak that rises above

2356-464: The Flood Range of Marie Byrd Land. The saddle was photographed from aircraft of the US AS in December 1940. It was mapped by USGS from ground surveys and US Navy air photos, 1959-66. Named by US-ACAN for James H. Wells, a member of the USARP team that studied ice sheet dynamics in the area northeast of Byrd Station, 1971-72. Features on or near Mount Moulton include Edwards Spur and Moulton Icefalls in

Flood Range - Misplaced Pages Continue

2432-508: The Flood Range. Discovered by members of the USAS on aerial flights in 1940. Named for Jacob Bursey, member of the ByrdAE (1928-30) and dog-driver with the USAS party which sledged to the west end of the Flood Range in December 1940. 76°01′S 133°11′W  /  76.017°S 133.183°W  / -76.017; -133.183 . A small snow-filled crater at the base of the west slope of

2508-692: The Mount Bursey massif in Marie Byrd Land. Mapped by USGS from ground surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-66. Named by US-ACAN for James E. Starbuck of Bartol Research Foundation, who studied cosmic rays at the South Pole Station in 1970. 76°00′S 133°04′W  /  76.000°S 133.067°W  / -76.000; -133.067 . A bare rock bluff along the northwest margin of Mount Bursey. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-65. Named by US-ACAN for Roy M. Koerner, USARP glaciologist with

2584-542: 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

2660-399: 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

2736-667: 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 the southernmost continent , and works with other federal agencies,

2812-563: 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 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

2888-621: The United States Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for Alvah G. Edwards, GDI, United States Navy, Construction Driver with the Army-Navy Trail Party that traversed eastward from Little America V to establish Byrd Station in 1956. 76°00′S 134°35′W  /  76.000°S 134.583°W  / -76.000; -134.583 . The steep icefalls draining the northern slopes of Mount Moulton. Mapped by USGS from ground surveys and

2964-815: The United States Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) for Henry T. Smoot, meteorologist at Byrd Station, 1969-70. 75°13′S 135°43′W  /  75.217°S 135.717°W  / -75.217; -135.717 . A steep, partly ice-covered cliff 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) east of Mount Steinfeld, on the south side of the divide between the upper reaches of Hull Glacier and Kirkpatrick Glacier. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-65. Named by US-ACAN for Commander William L. Frost, United States Navy, Officer-in-Charge of Antarctic Support Activities at McMurdo Station , 1970. 75°12′S 135°51′W  /  75.200°S 135.850°W  / -75.200; -135.850 . A mountain 685 metres (2,247 ft) high at

3040-576: The United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, a geomagnetist/seismologist at Byrd Station, 1970. 76°02′S 133°25′W  /  76.033°S 133.417°W  / -76.033; -133.417 . A north-draining icefalls of moderate slope at an elevation of 1,800 to 2,000 metres (5,900 to 6,600 ft) high, located between Mount Moulton and Mount Bursey. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-65. Named by US-ACAN for Donald T. Dickson, USARP glaciologist with

3116-468: The United States Navy air photos, 1959-66. Named by US-ACAN in association with Mount Moulton. 76°03′S 135°24′W  /  76.050°S 135.400°W  / -76.050; -135.400 . A nunatak on the east side of Wells Saddle between Mount Berlin and Mount Moulton. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-66. Named by US-ACAN for Steven P. Gawne,

Flood Range - Misplaced Pages Continue

3192-598: 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

3268-409: 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

3344-452: The base of the southern slope of Mount Berlin. Mapped by USGS from ground surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-66. Named by US-ACAN for Charles H. Wedemeyer, CM1, United States Navy construction mechanic with the 1956 Army-Navy Trail Party that traversed eastward from Little America V to establish Byrd Station. 76°01′S 135°42′W  /  76.017°S 135.700°W  / -76.017; -135.700 . A rock cliff that

3420-489: The general level of the central part of the Mount Bursey massif. Mapped by USGS from ground surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-66. Named by US-ACAN for Charles R. Hutt of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, a geomagnetistseismologist at South Pole Station, 1970. 75°58′S 133°02′W  /  75.967°S 133.033°W  / -75.967; -133.033 . A rock outcrop below and 1 nautical mile (1.9 km; 1.2 mi) north of Koerner Bluff on

3496-542: 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

3572-447: 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

3648-700: 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

3724-456: 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 the Antarctic as carried out by

3800-472: The lower west slopes of the Mount Berlin massif. Mapped by USGS from ground surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-66. Named by US-ACAN for Michael Mefford, a member of the USARP team that studied ice sheet dynamics in the area northeast of Byrd Station, 1971-72. 76°04′S 136°11′W  /  76.067°S 136.183°W  / -76.067; -136.183 . A group of rock outcrops on

3876-523: The mountain to the entire range. The Flood Range consists of a linear volcanic chain of peaks in which there have been systematic migrations of felsic activity. This activity has moved 90 km from east to west between 9 million and 2.5 million years ago, and 154 km northward from the south end of the Ames Range toward Shepard Island between 12.7 and 0.6 million years ago. Features on or near Mount Berlin include Brandenberger Bluff and Fields Peak in

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3952-572: The north, Gawne Nunatak, Britt Peak, Kohler Dome in the south, and the Dickson Icefalls to the east. 76°03′S 135°08′W  /  76.050°S 135.133°W  / -76.050; -135.133 . A broad, ice-covered mountain 3,070 metres (10,070 ft) high, standing 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) east of Mount Berlin. Discovered on aerial flights by the United States Antarctic Service (USAS) in 1940, and named for Richard S. Moulton, chief dog driver at West Base and

4028-497: The north, the Berlin Crevasse Field, Melford Knoll, Kraut Rocks, and Merrem Peak to the west, and Berlin Crater, Wedemeyer Rocks, Walts Cliff and Wells Saddle to the east. 76°03′S 135°52′W  /  76.050°S 135.867°W  / -76.050; -135.867 . A prominent, conical mountain, 3,500 metres (11,500 ft) high, standing 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) west of Mount Moulton at

4104-661: The northwest slopes of Mount Bursey. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-65. Named by US-ACAN for Erik Syrstad, ionospheric physicist at South Pole Station, 1970. 75°59′S 132°48′W  /  75.983°S 132.800°W  / -75.983; -132.800 . The icefalls draining the north slope of Mount Bursey. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-65. Named by US-ACAN in association with Mount Bursey. Hull Glacier The Hull Glacier ( 75°5′S 137°15′W  /  75.083°S 137.250°W  / -75.083; -137.250  ( Hull Glacier ) )

4180-648: 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

4256-478: 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 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

4332-465: 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 the Arctic and Antarctic Regions") stated that U.S. policy toward Antarctica has four fundamental objectives: (1) protecting

4408-401: 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 the conservation and sustainable management of

4484-464: 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

4560-556: The snow-covered, lower southwest slopes of the Mount Berlin massif. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-66. Named by US-ACAN for William F. Kraut, RM1, United States Navy, radioman with the 1956 Army Navy Trail Party that traversed eastward from Little America V to establish the Byrd Station. 76°03′S 136°03′W  /  76.050°S 136.050°W  / -76.050; -136.050 . A prominent peak of 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) high that

4636-404: 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 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

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4712-453: The south side of McDonald Heights that connects the heads of Kirkpatrick Glacier and Johnson Glacier , in Marie Byrd Land. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-69. Named by US-ACAN for Lawrence W. Strawn, glaciologist at Byrd Station, 1967-68. 75°11′S 137°07′W  /  75.183°S 137.117°W  / -75.183; -137.117 . A broad, heavily crevassed glacier flowing north to coalesce with

4788-452: The south side of McDonald Heights to enter the east side of Hull Glacier. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-65. Named by US-ACAN for Commander Thomas W. Kirkpatrick, USCG, Ship Operations Officer, United States Naval Support Force, Antarctica, during Operation Deep Freeze 1972 and 1973. 75°06′S 135°16′W  /  75.100°S 135.267°W  / -75.100; -135.267 . A broad pass on

4864-438: The southeast and enters Hull Bay just east of Lynch Point . 75°15′S 135°24′W  /  75.250°S 135.400°W  / -75.250; -135.400 . An isolated rock lying eastward of the head of Hull Glacier, about 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) east-southeast of Mount Steinfeld. Mapped by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-69. Named by

4940-537: 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

5016-428: 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

5092-589: 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

5168-423: 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

5244-507: The summit of Mount Berlin. Mapped by USGS from ground surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-66. Named by US-ACAN in association with Mount Berlin. 75°58′S 136°05′W  /  75.967°S 136.083°W  / -75.967; -136.083 . A steep rock bluff 1,650 metres (5,410 ft) high at the extreme north side of Mount Berlin. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-65. Named by US-ACAN for Arthur J. Brandenberger, USARP glaciologist with

5320-476: The west end of an ice-covered ridge that overlooks the confluence of Hull Glacier and Kirkpatrick Glacier. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-65. Named by US-ACAN for Edward F. Steinfeld, Jr., USARP meteorologist at Byrd Station , 1962. 75°09′S 136°00′W  /  75.150°S 136.000°W  / -75.150; -136.000 . A tributary glacier about 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) long, flowing west along

5396-658: The west end of the Flood Range. Discovered by the ByrdAE on flights to the northeast and east of Little America in November-December 1934. Named "Mount Hal Flood" by Byrd, but the name Flood is now applied to the entire mountain range of which this is a part. Named by the US-SCAN for Leonard M. Berlin, leader of the USAS party which sledged to this mountain in December 1940. 76°03′S 135°52′W  /  76.050°S 135.867°W  / -76.050; -135.867 . A high and circular ice-filled crater near

5472-598: The west side of Hull Glacier eastward of Mount Giles. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1959-65. Named by US-ACAN for Captain Ervin B. Rubey, United States Navy, Commander of Antarctic Support Activities at McMurdo Station, summer 1969-70. United States Antarctic Service The United States Antarctic Program (or USAP ; formerly known as the United States Antarctic Research Program or USARP and

5548-488: 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

5624-511: 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

5700-585: Was discovered by the Byrd Antarctic Expedition (ByrdAE) in 1934 from a great distance. Reconnaissance flights by the United States Antarctic Service (USAS) (1939–41) explored the range. The principle mountain was named "Mount Hal Flood" by Richard E. Byrd for his uncle, the Hon. Henry D. Flood , U.S. Representative from Virginia. The name was subsequently transferred by United States Special Committee on Antarctic Names, 1943-47 (US-SCAN) from

5776-591: 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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