The Pressure Ridges

Lots of interesting things going on in Antarctica these days. Primarily, I went to the pressure ridges, and saw seal babies!!!

The pressure ridges are where the sea ice, which is about 8 feet thick, meets the ross ice shelf which is 300 feet thick. They crush together and push the ice out of the water, and create these weird formations. Its basically plate tectonics, but with different kinds of ices. We got to go on a tour and walk through all of the pushed around ice.

I admit, Antarctica always feels like a different planet when you get far enough out of town, but walking through these was reallllly like being on a different planet.

It was amazing to see. McMurdo is to the right of and behind that hill on the right, to give you an idea of where the ridges are in relation to town.

I have also started to make field lunches as part of work. Basically, I make the bagged lunches that people take on flights and out on day trips when they go around the continent. Its a lot of fun actually, and I have become quite the sandwich professional.

One thing that was interesting in the galley was veterans day. We have a lot of military people around, I think I have talked before about how its a deployment here for them. On veterans day, a small table was set up very nice, with a bible, and a wine glass, and a candle, as well as normal table setting things. This was for the missing soldiers all over the world. I had never seen this done before, and it was interesting to kind of just look at that table all day and think about it. I wanted to take a picture of it but I wasn't sure it would be respectful. It was a good experience to see though.

I have been here over 3 months, which is unbelievable. Time really makes no sense anymore.