Notorious Ocean current is far stronger than previously thought
The Antarctic Circumpolar Current is the only ocean current to circle the planet and the largest wind-driven current on Earth. It’s also 30% more powerful than scientists realized.
Source: Geophysical Research Letters
An ocean circulation model shows the Antarctic Circumpolar Current swirling around Antarctica, with slow-moving water in blue and warmer colors indicating faster speeds (red represents speeds above 1 mile per hour). But how much water is really flowing through the current?
Recent fieldwork provides unexpected results.
Credit: M. Mazloff, MIT; Source: San Diego Supercomputer Center, UC San Diego
More at: https://eos.org/research-spotlights/notorious-ocean-current-is-far-stronger-than-previously-thought
Felix Riess DL5XL (aka N5BC) is operating DP1POL callsign from Antarctica since 2002.
PNRA (Italian National Research Program in Antarctica) via CNR and ENEA, is managing the Italian Bases in Antarctica. There is a call for journalists to participate the XXXIII Italian Expedition in Antarctica.
Alex Turkeev, RD1AV, the actual Chief and radio operator at the Russian Vostok Station is still overwintering at Vostok where he will remain till February 10, 2018.
Argentina’s Navy icebreaker ARA Almirante Irizar is back on sea and next September will be ready to sail to Antarctica following almost ten years of recovery and refurbishing after she caught fire in 2007 when returning from Antarctica and was considered almost a wreck given the magnitude of the damages experienced.
Another “new one” WACA in our Antarctic QSL collection and a WAP RUS-Ø1 for WADA
The Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) is the annual meeting for all parties of the Antarctic Treaty to discuss pressing Antarctic issues. Only consultative parties – parties that have demonstrated their interest in Antarctica by ‘conducting substantial research activity there’ – are allowed to take part in decision-making processes. This is the first time that China hosts the ATCM, which attracted a lot of attention both within and outside China.
Polar field guides Julie Baum and Tom Sylvester got married in sub-zero temperatures in a two-day celebration.
Climate change will cause ice-free areas on Antarctica to increase by up to a quarter by 2100, threatening the diversity of the unique terrestrial plant and animal life that exists there, according to projections from the first study examining the question in detail. If emissions of greenhouse gasses are not reduced, projected warming and changes in snowfall will cause ice-free areas – which currently make up about 1% of Antarctica and are home to all of the continent’s terrestrial plants and animals – to increase by as much as 17,000 square kilometres.
Ved Prakash Sandlas, VU2VP, destingushed Scientist & former Cheif controller R&D DRDO did pass away on 6th July 2017. He was good promoter of Ham radio & sent Ham Radio Rigs to Antarctica.
