GEOLOGICAL EXPEDITIONS TO ANTARCTICA

The South African National Antarctica Research Program (SANARP)
[Photos courtesy of Eugene Grosch 2003]

Large tabular icebergs derived from the coastal shelf pose navigational problems for the SAS Agulhas - the SANARP supply vessel Large icebergs and small seasonal pack ice floes border the coastal ice shelf
View of the Magdalena, a Russian research vessel extracted from pack ice during the summer cruise Helicopters act as transport to and from the SAS Agulhas and the SANAE base
Aerial view of the coastal ice shelf that separates the Antarctic continent from the open ocean The coastal ice shelf towers over the supply vessel
The high cliff faces of the ice shelf mark the separation of the huge tabular ice bergs that drift north into the open ocean A slot cut in the ice shelf allows an approach ramp to service the supply vessel
SANAE IV is the lastest base built on an impressive rock plateau at Vesles, to avoid sinking into the ice SANAE IV looks out over sheer cliffs of a Proterozoic diabase sheet
Helicopters provide a rapid transport from the SAS Agulhas parked at the ice shelf and the continental SANAE IV base Edge of the plateau at Vesles
View from the top of the Vesles plateau down through a narrow cleft to the ice fields that stretch uninterrupted to the coast Overland transport is via small motorised Skidoos that grip the ice and snow as well a tow gear on sleds
Skidoo plus sled crossing snowfields between rocky nanataks Field camps consist of brightly coloured polar tents
Antarctic field camp with Istund Peak in the background Gear placed around the base flaps of the polar tent also help stability during high winds
Access to ice free areas at Gjelsvikfjella require Skidoo transport Skidoo tracks mark another nunatak survey completed, Nasmornkalvane South
The clear crisp air in Antarctica results in vistas of mountain ridges that appear to very close but are actually many days journey away, Kirwanveggen Nunataks are tops of mountains that are mainly buried under thick ice, Istund Peak
Many nanataks rise sheer from the icefields, Nasmornkalvane North A thin cover of snow may mask the presence of deep crevasses in the ice, so careful inspection of the route is essentia, near Troll Base
View into the ice embayments that separate the various mountains, Gjelsvikfjella View of rock exposures and ice rafted float, Stabben Syenite, Gjelsvikfjella
Deep wind scoops are carved out around some rocky nunataks, near Straumsvola Drifting snow depositing over the edge of the marginal wind scoops are often fashioned into swirling shapes
Rock pavements and distant nunataks Frost action results in a spectacular cliffs of fresh rock exposures, Jutulhogget
Zero weathering and soil development typify the Antarctic outcrops, so that the detail on internal field relationships are crystal clear, Straumsvola High grade metamorphic rocks are intensely migmatised and intruded with leucocratic granites, Straumsvola
Boudinaged amphibolites remobilised and intruded by numerous leucogranitic sheets, veins and dykes, Straumsvola Midnight sun glistens off the blue ice surfaces