Bigelow Laboratory Senior Research Scientist Ben Twining is taking part in the IRON-MAN expedition in and around the southernmost continent. Today, he takes us behind the scenes of a recent visit to Rothera Research Station, the largest British Antarctic facility.
ANTARCTIC DISPATCH 3: ROTHERA RESEARCH STATION
- We made a four-day stop at Rothera Research Station to drop off scientists with the POLOMINTS project. The facility is a center for biological research and a hub for supporting deep-field and air operations.
- It was fun seeing the big, new, blue Discovery Building, which provides a lot of space for staging fieldwork deeper into the continent. (Check out these field tents!) It has a monopitch roof and a manifold that channels the prevailing winds down the side of the building, preventing snow from drifting next to the building.
- While I was there, the weather cleared up and I got to take a walk around Rothera Point where I saw Weddell seals and even some macroalgae!
- It was fun seeing the station firsthand. There were shipping containers everywhere, supposedly 600 total. The station had a field logistics warehouse and a machine shop to fix everything, plus amenities like a climbing wall, post box, and airport. Around 140 people are here in the summer while 30 or so overwinter.
- All good things must come to an end, and we wrapped our visit with rousing games of rounders and football (soccer for American readers!) that pitted the base and ship crews against one another. But the rivalry was short-lived, and we came together for a great barbecue with tunes supplied by the house band.
Ben’s journey continues to unfold as he takes to the water in next week’s update. Continue following along here at bigelow.org/currents!
Many thanks to Ben for sharing these great captures from the expedition!
