Activities of the summer party of the 21st Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition in 1979-1980

Abstract

Summer operations of the 21st Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE-21) are outlined. The icebreaker FUJI, carrying 500 tons of cargo and equipped with three helicopters and two aeroplanes, Cessna F185 and Piratus Porter, left Tokyo on November 21,1979. The expedition led by Prof. K. KIZAKI consisted of 43 members, 33 of which are of the wintering party led by Prof. S. KAWAGUCHI, deputy leader of the expedition. In addition, Dr. Yoshihide OHTA, geologist of Norsk Polarinstitutt joined the summer party as an exchange scientist. After leaving Fremantle on December 12,1979,the ship reached the edge of fast ice, 21 nautical miles WNW of Syowa Station on December 31,1979. Then, all of the cargo for the wintering party were delivered by helicopters until February 9,1980,while the construction work was carried out, completing the living hut for summer operation and 60 kl fuel tank. On February 1,1980 the wintering members of JARE-21 took over the duties at the station. Scientific programs on boad the FUJI were largely the continuation from previous years : Oceanographic and biological observations and the measurement of HF radio wave intensities were carried out throughout the voyage, and also marine biological studies of micro-algae were conducted within the pack ice area as well as in the sea ice. Several field parties were sent to the Yamato Mts. 300km inland and exposed rocks of the Prince Olav Coast to make geological and geodetic surveys. A return trip to the inland Mizuho Station was carried out to take over the duties by five men and to supply. A member of the FUJI's crew was heavily injured by accident on January 28 so that the ship had to carry him back to Cape Town as soon as possible, and so the ship left on February 9,1980. En rout to Cape Town, the FUJI visited USSR's Molodezhnaya station on February 10,where the US aeroplane had dropped the oxygen bombs which we had asked for the unconscious patient. The FUJI hurried north to Cape Town and arrived on February 21 and dropped him who must be sent back to Japan by air. She returned to Tokyo via Port Luis and Singapore on April 19,1980.