Search

Ice-surface elevation profiles of more than 30 000 km in total length are derived from kinematic GNSS (GPS and the Russian GLONASS) observations on sledge convoy vehicles along traverses between Vostok Station and the East Antarctic coast. These profiles have accuracies between 4 and 9 cm. They are used to validate elevation data sets from both radar and laser satellite altimetry as well as four digital elevation models. A crossover analysis with three different processing versions of Envisat radar altimetry elevation profiles yields a clear preference for the relocation method over the direct method of slope correction and for threshold retrackers over functional fit algorithms. The validation of CryoSat-2 low-resolution mode and SARIn mode data sets documents the progress made from baseline B to C elevation products. ICESat laser altimetry data are demonstrated to be accurate to a few decimetres over a wide range of surface slopes. A crossover adjustment in the region of subglacial Lake Vostok combining ICESat elevation data with our GNSS profiles yields a new set of ICESat laser campaign biases and provides new, independent evidence for the stability of the ice-surface elevation above the lake. The evaluation of the digital elevation models reveals the benefits of combining laser and radar altimetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the study of expedition activity in Antarctica as a part of the search for useful analogies and solutions which can be taken into account in planning manned missions to the Moon and Mars. The following is considered: natural analogies, human factors, station facilities, means of transportation, scientific programs, safety issues, and historical and political analogies. A rationalization is given for the idea of creating a testing ground in Antarctica (stations Vostok, Novolazarevskaya, Jetty Oasis) for ground-based simulation of functioning of a lunar and Martian base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nondestructive technology has been developed for the extraction of light gases dissolved in ice. The technology has been tested on samples of atmospheric and congealed ice of the 5-G3 bore hole of the Vostok station (East Antarctica) extracted from depths of 3457-3698 m. Down to 3539 m, ice is of an atmospheric origin, while ice deposited deeper is formed by natural water of Vostok Lake frozen on the glacier. Light gases were extracted into samplers (glass flasks) in the course of the 3-day degassing of samples freshly elevated from a bore hole. The samples were analyzed on the FT-1 time-of-flight mass spectrometer 6 months after sampling. Measurements reveal the presence of amounts of helium as well as molecular hydrogen considerably exceeding the atmospheric values. Measured values of gas ratio H/He = 5.4 ± 1.9 in the samples from depths of 3596-3698 m exceed the atmospheric values by more than an order of magnitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper documents the drilling of the 5G deep hole at the Russian Vostok station, Antarctica. The hole construction is described and the specifications of the drill and surface drilling equipment are given. The peculiarities of drilling at various depths are considered. Based on the extensive experimental data collected at Vostok station, the processes occurring at the hole bottom are investigated: ice breaking and cutting, bottom cleaning and chip transport, and accumulation of the chips in the screen. The main factors affecting ice-drilling efficiency are the coarseness of ice crystals and the ice temperature. When ice crystal size exceeds 10 mm the cutting efficiency sharply decreases, and when ice temperature exceeds -5°C the chip transport from the hole bottom and the chip density in the screen are reduced. The drill advance then becomes irregular, slows down and may even be terminated in some cases. Optimal values of the basic drilling parameters (e.g. cutter head rotation rate and drilling fluid flow rate in the circulation system) have been deduced empirically. The designs of the cutter head and circulation system including screens have been significantly modified, allowing the drilling process to proceed at a normal rate even in the vicinity of the subglacial lake surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is known that the solar component is difficult to find in a climatic signal due to its small size and significant internal random disturbances of the climatic system, such as variations in cloudiness, precipitation, winds, and oceanic currents. In the center of the polar cap, these disturbances are as minimal as possible; therefore, solving the inverse heat conduction problem, we can calculate the informative heat flux through the ice cover based on temperature data. Variations in the heat flux are quite significant in amplitude (0.2–0.3 W/m 2) and coincide with the 11-year solar cycle in phase. Application of this approach to the indices of the global and sea surface temperatures cannot yield a solar signal, yet it can be traced for solar cycles with big amplitude (cycles 19 and 21). Thus, the found variation in the heat flux is most probably caused by a change in the solar constant (TSI); however, other mechanisms are also possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the top worst weather places in the world including the Vostok Station in Antarctica, K2 Region in Karakoram Himalaya, and Summit Camp in Greenland. It says that the coldest known temperature was recorded at Vostok on July 21, 1983, measuring of about -128°F. It states that the K2 Region suffers fierce winter storms due of being the highest region in the world. It adds that the Summit Camp suffers harshest polar conditions due being in high altitude.

We have analyzed variations in the near-surface atmospheric electric field ( Ez) normalized to their daily averages that were simultaneously observed in different high-latitude regions at moderate geomagnetic activity ( Kp ∼ 3). The Ez data were measured under fair weather conditions at the Vostok Antarctic research station (Φ′ = −83.5°) in the southern polar cap and at the Hornsund Arctic observatory (Φ′ = 74.0°) on Svalbard close to the polar boundary of the auroral oval in the Northern Hemisphere. It is established that variations in the atmospheric electric field in the polar cap region at the Vostok station are controlled (the correlation coefficient R ∼ 0.7-0.9) by variations in the overhead ionospheric potential. The situation at the Hornsund observatory is more complicated. During intervals when Hornsund occurred below the westward electrojet, the correlation was typically positive with R ∼ 0.60-0.85; however, while this observatory was in the region of the eastern electrojet, the correlation could be negative with R ∼ 0.7-0.8. Normally, during such periods, the westward electrojet was detected polarwards of Hornsund while, according to the SuperDARN radar data, the observatory was located below the negative vortex of the polar ionospheric convection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the first seasonal variations of 17O-excess and d-excess to offer an analogy with glacial climatic conditions in Vostok Station, Antarctica on an event basis over one year. It mentions that the 17O-excess and d-excess variations can be explained through the influence of low temperatures' kinetic fractionation. It states that the comparison with simple isotopic models affirms the explanation, but cannot explain the association between temperature, 17O-excess and d-excess without a particular relationship between surface temperature and condensation.

The article discusses the studies carried out on Lake Vostok, a subglacial lake found in Antarctica by the Russian Vostok Station. The studies were done using remote geophysical approaches, like reflection seismic sounding and radio-echo sounding (RES). It states that throughout the primary studies, unique methodological methods were developed which allowed the researchers to find high quality seismic records. It mentions that exclusive seismic methods were carried out which proves that the subglaical surroundings is just a water body. The next phases of the research were thorough radar and seismic studies intended for mapping the lake sides and bottom. The studies concluded that Lake Vostok's water body is completely situated in the trench and its surface is at below sea level.