All that science!
Halfway Through Winter at Mawson: Science Never Sleeps
Even though the scientists have left for the winter season, the work at Mawson station continues. As part of the ICT team, our job during winter is to keep the science going—supporting research projects that rely on year-round data collection. From underwater tide gauges to penguin cameras, here’s a look at what we’ve been up to.
Tracking the Tides Beneath the Ice
One of our key tasks is retrieving data from a submerged tide gauge, designed back in the early '90s. It sits 7 meters underwater in a concrete base and measures sea pressure with incredible accuracy.
Finding it is a challenge. GPS isn’t precise enough, so we drill through the ice and use an underwater camera to locate the gauge, often hidden under marine life. This time, we had close encounters with a seal and a Patagonian toothfish! Once we’re directly above it, we lower a coil to connect and download the data. The whole process takes about six hours.
Measuring Snow and Ice with SIMBA
SIMBA is an automated device that monitors snow and ice thickness, movement, and temperature. It sends real-time data from extreme environments and helps scientists understand how ice is changing over time, vital for climate research and protecting infrastructure.
Penguin Nest Cameras: Built for the Wild
These cameras are set up at penguin colonies and run all year long. Housed in tough pelican cases and powered by solar panels, they’re programmed to take photos at specific times. They’re built to survive snow, ice, and winds over 200 km/h—and can be used for other remote monitoring tasks too.
Watching Earth’s Magnetic Field
We collect magnetic field data from a small hut originally brought from Heard Island in 1955. It’s placed away from the station to avoid interference. Using specialized instruments, we measure the direction and strength of Earth’s magnetic field. This data helps Geoscience Australia track changes that affect navigation, space weather, and scientific research.
Monitoring for Nuclear Safety
We also support Australia’s role in the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Every day, we run a routine to detect radioactive particles in the air. A special filter collects particles for 24 hours, then decays for another day before being analysed in a gamma detector. The results are sent to an international data centre in Vienna.
Winter at Mawson is quiet, but the science never stops. From drilling through ice to monitoring space weather, every task plays a part in global research and safety. It’s a unique experience—and a privilege—to be part of it.
Dejan Novkovski
SCTO Mawson Station
