Report of the oversnow traverse by the 25th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition in 1984-1985 field season

Abstract

The 25th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE-25) carried out an inland glaciological traverse as the third-year field work for the East Queen Maud Land Glaciological Project (EQGP) from October 1984 to January 1985. A eight-man party including four glaciologists conducted the traverse over 2500km in distance using four oversnow vehicles and 16 2t-sledges. During the traverse, four strain-grid stations, G1 (71.4°S, 43.7°E), G6 (73.1°S, 39.8°E), G7 (73.7°S, 39.8°E) and G15 (71.2°S, 46.0°E), were resurveyed. Positioning (JMR 4A), surface elevation determination, surface slope, gravity, ice thickness (radio echo sounding), installation of offset markers, 10-m ice coring and 10-m snow temperature measurement were carried out at other five glaciological grid points. An advance camp was established at 74°12′02″S, 34°59′08″E and 3193m a. s. l. on October 21,1984 for future inland activities. In addition to strain grid installation and satellite positioning a glaciological work as was made at grid points was carried out at the advance camp. Unmanned meteorological observation at the camp was started with ARGOS system using NOAA-7,-8 and the data have been sent in good condition to Japan via CNES, France.