Observation tests of the Antarctic penetrator on the Mizuho Plateau in JARE-43 summer operation

Abstract

We have developed an Antarctic penetrator that is applicable to seismic explosion experiments along a difficult traverse route on a continental ice sheet with crevasses. In the 43rd Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE-43, 2001-2002) seismic explosion experiments on the Mizuho Plateau, in East Antarctica, we equipped 22 penetrators for seismic observation. However, due to electrical trouble, we could not apply the penetrators to actual observation. Then, we carried out a running test of the penetrators and acquired much valuable data that cannot be obtained in the domestic environment in Japan, such as the declination angle of a body intruding into the Antarctic ice sheet, impact shock, and daily change of temperature of the body in the snow. These data are not only useful for development of the Antarctic penetrator, but also for development of touchdown-type physical observation equipment for use in Antarctica.