Four N.Z. Scientists Study Antarctic Lake

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28478, 7 January 1958, Page 6

Four N.Z. Scientists Study Antarctic Lake

(N.Z Press Association—Copyright)

SCOTT BASE, January 4. Three biologists and a geologist of New Zealand Antarctic expedition left Scott Base this morning for 10 days’ work in an area of fantastic polar contradiction. This is a region of lakes, bare rock, and running water among glaciers lying west of McMurdo Sound.

The scientific party, led. by Ron Balham, took off from the bay ice below Pram Point at 8.30 a.m. in a Sikorsky helicopter of the United States Navy for the 70mile flight across the sound. Balham, Richard Earwick, and Peter Webb are all Wellington men. The fourth member of the party is Andrew Packard of Auckland.

The dry valley system they will investigate lies between the Wright and Mackay glaciers. A lake measuring about half a mile by several hundred yards is the first object of the survey.

Flights have been made over this area, but there is no record of man previously setting foot there, and so far as is known this is the first time that an Antarctic lake has been given full scientific study. The party has a fibre-glass boat capable of carrying two men. From this boat soundings of the lake will be taken, and plankton collected, and bottom samples taken. The temperature of the water at various levels will be taken, and from the gathering of sediments the basic structure of the lake bottom will be derived. The scientists will bring back material to study the animal and plant life in the waters.

No sledging will be done on this trip, and in this regard alone the men will be performing a most unusual Antarctic exercise. 'They will move with boots on their feet and packs on their backs. Balham compared the overland travel they will do with movement in New Zealand back country For the main part, however, the party will probably remain near

the point where it is dropped by the helicopter. There would be so much work to do close at hand that long trips would not be necessary, Balham said. Small tents have gone with the party in case they are needed, but the party is more likely to stay near its pitched camp. Twice a week the party will be in radio contact with Scott Base.

Near the lake which will be their main study the scientists will work up the hillsides on detailed botanical investigations. They will take cross-sections in this way. known technically as transects.

They will return to base by American helicopter.