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Caption |
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Hardly has a piece of core been drilled and carefully transported
into the science trench before it is cut into smaller pieces. Every single
piece of core is used for analysis investigating the physical and/or chemical
characteristics of the ice. Part of the core is analyzed on the ice but the
biggest part is packed, transported to Europe and stored for later analysis. |
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The new ice cores are carefully carried from the drill trench to the
"core buffer" where they will be stored for a few days to let the drill
fluid evaporate and the core adjust the lower pressure on the ice. |
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The drillers are watching while a new piece of core is emerging from
the drill. This is always an exciting moment - how long is the core and
in what shape is it?
For special cores/depths most inhabitants of the camp often gather to watch
the core being brought to the surface. Special cores may be cores covering
e.g. the 1000m depth, or certain climatic transitions or volcanic events. |
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The entrance to the drill trench - be careful, it may be slippery! |
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On beautiful summer days it is possible to relax a little in the sun,
especially close to the black surface of the dome. The thermometer shows
+45°C although the air temperature is hardly more than -5° - -10°C. |
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The main dome. |
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Finally the permanent buildings of the camp are finished. Most of
them are shaped like igloos, as this prohibits the blowing snow from gathering
around the buildings. This is a big help when the camp is re-opened after
wintertime. Remark the flag line. It's a tradition to put up a flag for
every nation participating in the project. |
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The main dome under construction - the building is going to contain
the generator, the kitchen, the "dinning room", the office, radio facilities,
toilets, and washing facilities.
The dome contains two floors and the generator heats it to about 20°C. |
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Grooming of the skiway - The skiway
is one of the most important parts of the camp. It is used for all air traffic
to and from the camp. It is very important that it is maintained and groomed
regularly, such that all air crafts may be able to land and take-off safely.
Furthermore different camps compete a little on having the best skiway ... |
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The first team this year is searching for vehicles and other things buried
in the snow. The vehicles were left behind by a German expedition the year
before, so they could be used for the installation and maintenance of the
NGRIP camp.
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