Project information
MCGOWAN, A/Prof. Hamish
University of Queensland
Australia (or home country), Other
Project aim
The McMurdo Dry Valleys represent the largest snow and ice free region on Antarctica. This unique landscape is believed to have remained essentially unchanged for > 13 million years and is the closest Earth analogue to conditions on Mars. The study seeks to determine the meteorology of the "warm" wind events believed to be föhn that occur in these valleys that result in the largest temperature changes known. The study will combine fieldwork and climate modelling studies to identify the origin of these winds and their impact on the weather and climate of this unique region of global importance.