Utilization of snowmobiles for Antarctic meteorite search of the 20th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (1978-1980)

Abstract

Three snowmobiles, type Yamaha ET250,were successfully used by the meteorite search party of the 20th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition from October 1979 to February 1980. The party covered 4300km for the meteorite search on the bare ice field around the Yamato Mountains and collected over 3000 meteorites. These snowmobiles were also successfully used for the navigation and crevasse detection between the Yamato Mountains and the Belgica Mountains, East Queen Maud Land. This paper describes in detail minor improvement before use, running conditions, mechanical troubles during the operation, and also points out some countermeasures for defects of the snowmobile.