Early river

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32777, 30 November 1971, Page 2

Early river

(Special Crspdt. N.Z.P.A.)

SCOTT BASE, Nov. 29.

New Zealand scientists have reported that temperatures in the Ross Dependency are warmer than usual for the time of year, and this has created a problem for men working at Vanda Station, in the Wright Valley. One of their main tasks is the hydrological study of the Onyx River, which flows inland to Lake Vanda from the glaciers near the coast.

For the last few years the Onyx has started flowing about December 5, and the two hydrologists with the party working on the Wilson Piedmont Glacier were due to return to

Vanda a few days before that date this year. However, the flow started a week early.

Messrs B. McGuire and D. Davidson (Auckland) after a visit last night to check recording equipment a few miles up the valley, said much valuable data could have been lost but for the presence nearby of Japanese research scientists.

With the aid of a hydrologist, Dr Yuki Yusa, an accurate record has been made.

Two New Zealand hydrologists, Messrs J. Hawes, of Tlmaru, and W. R. Thompson, of Dunedin, will be flown to the Onyx River by helicopter as soon as local fog lifts.