Dry McMurdo Valleys. McMurdo - dry deserts of Antarctica McMurdo in Antarctica

(which is why the strait is sometimes called a gulf). The eastern boundary is Ross Island, the starting point of many early Antarctic expeditions. The active volcano Erebus is located on the island, having a height of 3794 meters, and on the south side there are scientific bases: McMurdo Base (USA, the largest on the continent) and Scott Base (New Zealand). Less than 10% of the McMurdo Sound coastline is ice-free. The strait is located at a distance of approximately 1300 km from the South Pole.

Cold circumpolar currents reduce the flow of warm waters from the Southern and Pacific Oceans to McMurdo Sound and other Antarctic coastal waters. Strong katabatic winds blowing down from the Polar Plateau make Antarctica the windiest continent in the world. In winter, McMurdo Sound is covered with ice, the thickness of which varies within 3 meters. In summer, the pack ice breaks off, then the wind and strong currents can move it further north, creating cold deep currents that penetrate the ocean basins of the world. Temperatures at McMurdo Station can drop to -51°C during the polar night. December and January are the warmest months, with an average maximum temperature of -1°C.

Meaning

The role of McMurdo Sound as a strategically important waterway dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. British explorers Ernest Shackleton and Robert Scott built bases on the shores of the strait, which served as starting points for expeditions to the South Pole.

The McMurdo Strait does not lose its significance today. Cargo and passenger planes land on the icy runway of the airfield Field Williams located on the McMurdo Ice Shelf. In addition, every year cargo ships and tankers enter the strait to carry out the necessary supplies for the needs of the largest scientific base on the continent - McMurdo Station. Both the American base and New Zealand's Scott Base are on the southern tip of Ross Island.

Ross Island is the southernmost point of Antarctica, located in the zone of navigable accessibility, and Bay of winter camps in McMurdo Sound is the world's southernmost seaport. However, its availability depends on favorable ice conditions in the strait.

During the winter months, McMurdo is almost completely covered in ice. Even in summer, ships entering it are sometimes blocked by an annual ( fast ice) and multi-year ice, which makes it necessary to resort to the help of icebreakers. However, ocean currents and strong winds of Antarctica can blow the pack ice north into the Ross Sea, temporarily freeing the waters of the strait from ice.

The ice-covered waters of which stretch for approximately 55 km in length and width. In the north, the strait opens into the Ross Sea. On the western shore of the strait rises the mountain Royal Society Range, 4205 meters above sea level, and on the south side of the strait ends with the McMurdo Ice Shelf. The eastern boundary is Ross Island, the starting point of many early Antarctic expeditions. The active volcano Erebus is located on the island, having a height of 3794 meters, and on the south side are the largest scientific bases of Antarctica: the McMurdo base (USA) and Scott Base (New Zealand). Less than 10% of the McMurdo Sound coastline is ice-free. The strait is located at a distance of about 1300 km from the South Pole.

The strait was discovered by Captain James Clark Ross in February 1841 and was named by him in honor of Lieutenant Archibald McMurdo of the expedition ship HMS Terror. Today, McMurdo Sound serves as the terminus for auxiliary cargo ships and aircraft landing on floating ice near McMurdo Station. The constant presence of scientists and technical personnel at the station from 1957-1958 turned Bay of winter camps into a highly polluted harbor.

Cold circumpolar currents reduce the flow of warm waters from the Southern and Pacific Oceans that reach McMurdo Sound and other Antarctic coastal waters. Strong katabatic winds blowing down from the Polar Plateau make Antarctica the windiest continent in the world. In winter, McMurdo Sound is covered with ice, the thickness of which varies within 3 meters. In summer, the pack ice breaks off, then the wind and strong currents can move it further north, creating cold deep currents that penetrate the ocean basins of the world. During the polar night, temperatures at McMurdo Station can drop to -51°C. December and January are the warmest months, with an average maximum temperature of -1°C.

Meaning

The role of McMurdo Sound as a strategically important waterway dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. British explorers Ernest Shackleton and Robert Scott built bases on the shore of the strait, which served as starting points for expeditions to the South Pole.

The McMurdo Strait does not lose its significance today. Cargo and passenger planes land on the icy runway of the airfield Field Williams located on the McMurdo Ice Shelf. In addition, every year cargo ships and tankers enter the strait to carry out the necessary supplies for the needs of the largest scientific base on the continent - McMurdo Station. Both the US base and New Zealand's Scott Base are on the southern tip of Rossa Island.

Ross Island is the southernmost point of Antarctica, located in the zone of navigable accessibility, and Bay of winter camps in McMurdo Sound is the world's southernmost seaport. However, its availability depends on favorable ice conditions in the strait.

During the winter months, McMurdo is almost completely covered in ice. Even in summer, ships entering it are sometimes blocked by an annual ( fast ice) and multi-year ice, which makes it necessary to resort to the help of icebreakers. However, ocean currents and strong winds of Antarctica can blow the pack ice north into the Ross Sea, temporarily freeing the waters of the bay from ice.

Two employees of the American research station McMurdo died in Antarctica under unclear circumstances.

Cause of death not established

Information about the loss of life was confirmed by the press service of the National Science Foundation, which oversees the US Antarctic Program.

According to the NSF, on December 12, in the building in which the generator feeding the radio transmitter is located,. Their responsibilities included the control of fire safety equipment. They arrived at the facility by helicopter, the pilot of which was waiting for the work to be completed. Specialists had to carry out preventive maintenance of fire extinguishing systems.

According to Reuters, citing US National Science Foundation Spokesman Peter West There is no evidence of violent death. At the same time, the cause of the tragedy has not been established and the investigation is ongoing.

McMurdo - the largest base in Antarctica

West said that he was not authorized to disclose any details of the investigation, as well as the identity of the victims.

McMurdo Antarctic Station is the largest settlement, port, transport hub and research center in Antarctica. About 1,300 people work at the station during the summer season. The station was founded in 1956. It currently has 3 airfields, several helicopter landing sites and over 100 buildings, including greenhouses where fresh vegetables are grown.

Despite all the amenities and modern technology, Antarctica remains a high-risk area, where any mistake can lead to the most dire consequences.

Ivan Khmara. Photo: wikipedia.org

The account of Soviet losses in Antarctica was opened on January 21, 1956. 19 year old soldier Ivan Khmara, who served in Dikson, managed to pass the competitive selection of volunteers for the First Integrated Antarctic Expedition of the USSR Academy of Sciences. On the fateful day, Ivan, who was a tractor driver, took part in the unloading of the Ob and Lena ships. His tractor fell through the ice. The door to the cockpit was closed, and he did not have time to jump out. The body of the deceased was never found: the depth in this place exceeded 70 meters. On the morning of his death, Ivan received a telegram from home that his son had been born.

A year after the death, a two-meter granite obelisk stone was installed on the shore, crowned with a gold five-pointed star and with a bronze plaque on which a modest inscription was engraved: “To Ivan Khmara. 1936-1956". Later, the monument was moved to the cemetery on Buromsky Island.

Monument to Ivan Khmara. Photo: wikipedia.org / Tsy1980

antarctic necropolis

Lieutenant Commander Nikolai Buromsky died February 3, 1957, along with Evgeny Zykov during the second Soviet Antarctic expedition, three kilometers west of the Mirny station, when the edge of the ice barrier collapsed and the ice collapsed onto the deck of the icebreaker Ob.

In total, several dozen people died during domestic expeditions to Antarctica. Some, at the insistence of relatives, were sent for burial to their homeland, but most found their last refuge in Antarctica. Some of the graves are symbolic: the bodies simply could not be found.

Death of Mr Penguin

A foreigner is also buried among the Russians: the famous Swiss photojournalist Bruno Zender nicknamed "Mr. Penguin".

Having first got to Antarctica in 1975, Zender literally fell in love with the continent, and especially with its main inhabitants. Zender's Antarctic photographs are exhibited at the New York Museum of Modern Art and have been published many times in the world's most popular magazines.

The Swiss made more than 20 trips to Antarctica, was friends with Russian scientists, and participated in wintering. In 1997, during the wintering at Mirny station, he filmed penguins. In violation of safety regulations, the photographer went to the shooting alone, explaining that it was hard for him to work in the presence of someone else. Zender was released on the condition that in the event of a warning about a change in the weather, he would immediately return to the station. However, on July 7, he reacted too late to the message and an hour later he radioed that he was lost. Soon contact with him disappeared. The photographer was found dead two days later. He was buried in Antarctica, which he loved more than life itself.

Flight to Antarctica at the cost of 257 lives

One of the most massive deaths has nothing to do with Russia or polar exploration.

In 1977, Air New Zealand began operating sightseeing non-stop flights over Antarctica. The duration of the flight was from 12 to 14 hours, of which 4 hours was a flight over Antarctica. The plane with sightseers and a guide took off from Auckland Airport and, having reached the coast of Antarctica, descended near McMurdo Sound. The guide led the tour, and passengers could admire the Antarctic landscapes.

The crash killed 237 passengers and 20 crew members, including citizens of New Zealand, Japan, the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, France and Switzerland. The causes of the disaster, according to the findings of the investigation, were an incorrect flight plan and zero experience of the crew in flights to Antarctica.

McMurdo, Archibald British Navy officer who took part in the exploration of the Antarctic. McMurdo (strait) a strait off the coast of Antarctica. McMurdo (ice shelf) ice shelf. McMurdo ... ... Wikipedia

McMurdo (Antarctic Station) is the largest Antarctic station. McMurdo (strait) a strait off the coast of Antarctica. McMurdo (glacier) ice shelf. See also McMurdo Highway South Pole Road in Antarctica connecting McMurdo Station ... ... Wikipedia

View of McMurdo from Lookout Hill McMurdo is the largest settlement and research center in Antarctica, owned by the United States. McMurdo also serves as the largest port and transport hub in Antarctica, serving other stations and ... ... Wikipedia

Archibald McMurdo (eng. Archibald McMurdo; September 24, 1812 (18120924)) officer of the Royal Navy of Great Britain, whose name in Antarctica is named the strait, the Antarctic station, the ice shelf, and also ... ... Wikipedia

Coordinates: 90°00′00″ S sh. 139°16′00″ W  / 90°S sh. 139 ... Wikipedia

Fram's third voyage Fram in Antarctica ... Wikipedia

Coordinates: 90°S sh. 0° in.  / 90°S sh. 0° in. etc. ... Wikipedia

Often referred to as "the last corner of civilization," McMurdo Station is located in a remote part of the south polar region of the globe. The American Research Center is the largest camp of its kind. It is the last available place on the White Continent that can be reached by ship. It conducts research in the field of aeronomy and astrophysics, biology and medicine, geology and geophysics, glaciology and glacial geology, oceanic and climatic systems. Members of the Antarctic Biennale, artists and writers also work near McMurdo Station.

US science base

The station was built on the outskirts of the McMurdo Strait next to the Ross Glacier near New Zealand. The research center owes its name to this strait, which in turn was named after Lieutenant Archibald McMurdo. He charted the area in 1841 under the command of a British explorer. British explorer Robert Scott first established a base near the site in 1902 and built an open hut still standing next to the harbor at Hut Point.

The United States officially opened its first station here on February 16, 1956. The founders originally called it the McMurdo Naval Air Station. It developed from the camp as part of "Operation Deep Freeze". The station was just an assembly of tents before the buildings were built.

House for scientists and tourists

It explores everything from climate change to Antarctic wildlife to the movement of ice shelves and everything else that can help us better understand this most mysterious part of the world. Over the past two decades, there have been tens of thousands of polar submarine expeditions with a hyperbaric chamber. McMurdo acts as a last resort support base for extreme exploration missions.

Despite the fact that most of the work is carried out during the "summer" sunny months, McMurdo does not stop in winter. In the peak season, about 1,200 people live here, while about 250 residents remain in the city during the calm period.

Grocers stock international food, carpenters and builders maintain the place, bus drivers ferry passengers and cargo, gardeners spruce up greenhouses, and everyone, oddly enough, eats ice cream.

This is its own separate world with special intentions and goals. It boasts a chapel, several ATMs, a golf course, three airstrips, a fire station, a post office, and two bars. Of course, McMurdo station is too far away to come here for a drink. However, visiting this incredibly beautiful and interesting place is one of the highlights for guests on an Antarctic cruise. McMurdo is possibly one of the most captivating cities you could visit.

Life at McMurdo Station

Antarctica is often described as a breathtaking place. Its magnetic attraction, dramatic beauty of the scenery, incredible wildlife and surreal experience will captivate and make you want to come back again. McMurdo Station is no exception. Many of the residents and scientists who work and live here return year after year.

Recorded extreme temperatures in these parts reached -50 degrees and +8 degrees Celsius. The average value is -18 °C. Drifting snow can accumulate up to 1.5 meters per year, although the station thaws during the summer. The average wind is about 5.1 meters per second, in July 1968 a gust of 52 meters per second was recorded.

McMurdo station

1 of 4

In such conditions, the inhabitants of the station require reliable equipment. Maximum protection against rain, cold and wind is often provided by the Canada Goose brand. But in addition to the Canadian brand, The North Face also produces warm clothes for expeditions. They even named one of their models after the Antarctic station. Made from durable nylon with a HyVent membrane, their McMurdo Parka symbolizes exploration and full protection, even at the pole.

Life on McMurdo today is calm and extraordinary at the same time. Enthusiasts hold art exhibitions, head to the pub to listen to live music and take part in marathons. Although Antarctica is a huge laboratory that attracts many scientists, it also attracts people from the arts. The National Science Foundation, which supports much of the research, has a program for artists and writers. It featured science fiction writer Kim Stanley Robinson and musician Henry Kaiser. The goal of the program is to increase people's understanding of the continent and to record America's Antarctic heritage.

In recent years, there have been new programs aimed at studying the environment of the Southern Ocean, monitoring climate change, temperature, composition and dynamics of the middle and upper atmosphere of McMurdo.