On a rare, breathtaking day at Mawson Station, an exciting shift in operations turned a routine science outing into an eco-friendly adventure. Instead of the typical diesel-powered Hagglunds, the team switched to fat-tyred bicycles as their primary mode of transportation. The science project, more commonly known as 'Petra’s Points', studies the thickness and quality of the sea ice as it changes over the season and compares this year to year.
Another abnormality was that instead of the regular outing being with Jason B, the trusty field training officer, I was joined by Jason D, one of Mawsons’ Met Techs (Bureau of Meteorology senior observer). Some say Jason D is the good Jason, and others say the evil Jason. Whichever Jason he was, he certainly brought the weather with him!
The points are drilled with a trusty Makita to gather data on ice thickness, freeboard water levels, snow covering and the class of the ice that is drilled out – a critical indicator of climate patterns and sea ice stability.
After reflection (and a little help from Strava) it was concluded that we probably could have walked the route and completed the drilling just as fast on foot!
David Hateley, Mawson Doctor
