For the past 18 hours we transited through the Bransfield Straits, which is the seaway between the Antarctic Peninsula (the bit of Antarctica that sticks out in the direction of South America), and a chain of islands in front of it. We were hoping to see the islands with a bit of luck, but all of our expectations got topped: we did not only see the islands, but also the Antarctic Peninsula, many icebergs, penguins, seals, and birds.
We also had the rare opportunity to observe what it looks like when the ocean freezes over during winter time (seasonal sea ice formation). At the beginning the surface goes all glassy, then little bits of ice start to form (pancake ice), then the pancakes connect to form a layer of ice (first year sea ice), and finally very thick ice forms that does not even melt away in the summer anymore (multi-year sea ice).
What a day! After two weeks of very hard work, we all got reminded that it is a major privilege to sail on an expedition off Antarctica…
- Pancake ice in the Bransfield Straits and the Antarctic Peninsula in the background.
- Pancake ice in the Bransfield Straits.
- Bow of the Palmer as it makes its way through the ice.
- The track the Palmer leaves behind after breaking through the ice.
- Penguins (photo credit: Michelle Taylor).
- Seal (photo credit: Michelle Taylor).
