A low-level survey of the Thwaites Glacier using the ATM laser, the MCORDS, Snow Radar, KU band radars, and the DMS camera was conducted Wednesday November 28.  Thwaites Glacier is located to the west of the Pine Island Glacier and the structure of this glacier is an important indicator of the effects of warming in the west Antarctica region.  The Pine Island and Thwaites Glaciers are both part of the Amundsen Sea Embayment and are two of Antarctica’s largest five glaciers.

The flight was approximately 10 hours long and the pattern of the flight path is referred to as “mowing the lawn”, which describes the parallel survey flight lines the DC-8 follows.  Post-flight briefing stated that all the instruments were successful in collecting data.

These photos were provided by NSERC’s Eric Buzay.

Science flight #21 survey lines of Thwaites Glacier

Laser and radar data will measure the surface features and internal structure of Thwaites Glacier

High-level approach to the Amundsen Sea Embayment

**The OIB crew would like to get in two more flights before departing Punta Arenas for Palmdale, CA.  However, this is unlikely based on current weather forecasts.  The last date for a possible science flight is Saturday November 21.  The DC-8 must be prepared for its transit flight back to Palmdale on Sunday November 22, and departure for Palmdale will occur on Monday November 23.**

OIB science flight #20 was another scenic, low-level flight of the Antarctica Peninsula.  The ATM and KU radars were used to make measurements of glacier surface features, ice thickness and bedrock topography.

These pictures are provided by NSERC’s Eric Buzay:

On Friday November 13, the DC-8 crew and OIB mission scientists got a day off to enjoy spring in Punta Arenas, Chile.  Along with some much needed ground-time, the crew and mission scientists got a chance to tour the NSF research vessel and ice breaker ship, the Nathaniel B. Palmer.

Here are some pictures from the tour provided by NSERC’s Eric Buzay: