Scotland and the Antarctic

Section 7: The legacy of Bruce ... British Antarctic Survey

Out in the field

Scientists out in the field must take a field assistant, and may be taken to the work site by Twin Otter aircraft. Skidoos are used for local travel from base. On any skidoo trip from base of any distance a sledge with a tent must be taken, along with spare equipment, a radio and food and fuel for at least a week. The weather can change very quickly in the Antarctic and blizzards can confine workers to their tent for several days. Temperatures can be well below zero even in summer.

Scientists in the Antarctic have made many discoveries about the continent since the times of Bruce. These cover a huge range of different topics resulting from scientific work in geology, glaciology, climatology, meteorology, botany, marine biology. The climate, ocean currents and melting ice in the Antarctic can affect the rest of the world. Global warming affects temperature in the Antarctic. The discovery of the hole in the ozone layer has led to the reduction in the use of chlorofluorocarbons. (CFCs).

BAS field assistant with skidoo and sledge investigating a nunatak (mountain rising above the ice cap).
The big distance between sledge and skidoo is a precaution against crevasses.