Daily reports from the NGRIP-camp - week 21 year 2003
Monday, May 19th
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| Daily life |
In the tents raised yesterday, bunk beds have been assembled,
and the power has been set up. Each tent is equipped with a 1kW heating
device.
The cook's freezer was located and a ramp was dug to the door at 3,5
meters depth.
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| Science |
|
| Logistics |
The skiway has been groomed with a Kaesbohrer vehicle twice
lengthwise, and once in zig-zag, so it is hard and firm for the forthcoming
flight period. Also, the flags that mark the skiway has been checked and
raised.
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Tuesday, May 20th
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| Daily life |
In the morning, the camp received a plane carrying 7 persons
and lots of cargo. The cargo was unpacked, and the camp now contains all necessary
personnel and equipment to begin the scientific part of the project.
|
| Science |
The deep hole was opened, and everything looks fine. The logging
equipment is being made ready.
|
| Logistics |
The camp construction was completed with the erection of another
two weatherports.
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Wednesday, May 21th
|
| Daily life |
The weather is still fine, and much work is being spent on moving
snow away from the main dome. Unpacking and maintenance of camp and vehicles
continue.
|
| Science |
Logging and drilling equipment is being prepared.
|
| Logistics |
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Thursday, May 22th
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| Daily life |
Weather has turned bad. The wind has increase to more than 10
m/s, and snowfall and drifting has reduced the visibility to 1/4 mile. The
daytime temperature has risen to -8C which is common when it is snowing and
the wind is strong.
|
| Science |
Preparation of equipment continue. The logging device is almost
ready.
|
| Logistics |
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Friday, May 23th
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| Daily life |
The weather has cleared up, and snow is being removed from the
camp. Equipment is being moved to the trenches to prepare for the start of
the drilling operation.
|
| Science |
The American temperature logger is on its way down the hole.
Meanwhile, the preparation of winch, drill and drill electronics continue.
A French meteorite project has started.
|
| Logistics |
Much snow has to be moved after the blizzard Thursday, and the
fuel storage is being moved to the this year's surface.
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Saturday, May 24th
|
| Daily life |
The flag-line with flags from all participating nations has
been set up, and the signpost with directions and distances to the home towns
of the participants has been raised.
|
| Science |
| The temperature logging has been completed. The temperature
profile through the hole is now known with 6 milli-Kelvin precision. Using
advanced Monte Carlo inversion methods and a model of the ice flow, this
temperature profile can be converted to a paleo-temperature record.
|
| Logistics |
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Sunday, May 25th
|
| Daily life |
The drilling operation is still being prepared. Today, the system
for filling drilling liquid into the hole was set up. The weather is nice
|
| Science |
The optical logger is now in the hole and is recording the visual
stratigraphy through the 3 kilometer deep hole.
A French pit study is being made. In a pit study, the stratigraphy of the
upper meters of snow is analyzed, and ultra-high resolution sampling is performed.
|
| Logistics |
The engines in both the Kaesbohrer vehicles has been overhauled.
Snow from drifting is still being removed from the ramps.
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Continue to Week 22
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