SCIENTIFIC REPORT
OF
FIFTH INDIAN EXPEDITION TO ANTARCTICA
TECHNICAL PUBLICATION No. 5
DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT
CGO COMPLEX, LODI ROAD
NEW DELHI 110003
INDIA
1988
Prepared by:
Geological Survey of India
N H - 5 P , Faridabad-121001
and
Department of Ocean Development
New Delhi-110 003
CONTENTS
PAGE
Foreword
1
Preface
3-4
Participants
5-7
The Team
9-23
. M. K. Kaul
25-53
Geological set-up of a part of Central Queen Maud Land, East Antarctica .
M. K. Kaul, S. Mukerji, R. K, Singh, D. Srivastava and S. Jayaram
57-97
Anorthosites of Gruber Massif, Central Queen Maud Land, East Antarctica—An
Appraisal . S. Mukerji, M. K. Kaul, R. K. Singh, D. Srivastava and S. Jayaram
99-108
A Short Account of the Basic and Ultrabasic Rocks Occurring between
Schirmacher Hills and Gruber Massif, Central Q u e e n M a u d Land, East
Antarctica . R, K, Singh, S. Mukerji, S. Jayaram, D. Srivastava and M. K. Kaul
109-119
An outline of the geology of the Nunataks between Eastern W o h l t h a t Range
and Schirmacher Hills, Central Queen Maud Land, East Antarctica .
S, Mukerji, M. K. Kaul, R. K. Singh, D. Srivastava and S. Jayaram
121-133
A N o t e on the Petrochemical Characteristics of a N o d u l a r Basalt D y k e from
Schirmacher Hills, East Antarctica
M. K. Kaul, S. K. Chakraborty, R. K. Singh, S. Mukerji, D. Srivastava and S. Jayaram
135-144
Geophysical Investigations in Schirmacher Landmass
Shikhar Ch. Jain, Ratan Dhar and K. N. S. Reddy
145-150
Magnetic and Seismic Investigations on the Ice-Shelf around the Indian
Permanent Station in Antarctica
Shikhar Ch. Jain, Ratan Dhar and K. N. S. Reddy
151-155
Geotechnical Properties of the Antarctic Rocks
C. Mukherjee, K. Seshagiri and T. Ramamurthy
157-167
The Fifth Indian Voyage to Antarctica
Section-I
Geology and Geophysics
Section-II
Glaciology
Oxygen Isotope Studies in Antarctica
V. N. Nijampurkar, S. K. Bhattacharya, S. Mukerji, R. K. Singh and D. Srivastava
Polar Fallout of Radioisotopes
Gangotri, Antarctica
32
7
Si, Be,
210
137
171-179
239
Pb,
Cs and
Pu at Dakshin
V. N. Nijampurkar and D. K. Rao
181-188
Snow Accumulation and Ablation Pattern on Ice Shelf near Dakshin Gangotri,
Antarctica, and Development of fast Ice off Dakshin Gangotri . . . . . .
.....
R. K. Singh, S. Mukerji, D. Srivastava and M. K. Kaul 189-204
Observations on the Changes in the Snout of Dakshin Gangotri Glacier,
Antarctica . M. K. Kaul, R. K. Singh, D. Srivastava, S. Mukerji and S. Jayaram 205-209
Some Observations on the Glacial Geomorphological Features of Wohlthat
Mountains, Central Queen Maud Land, Antarctica
D. Srivastava, M. K. Kaul, R. K. Singh, S, Mukerji and S. Jayaram 211-218
Glaciochemical Studies in Antarctica
V. N. Nijampurkar 219-224
Radioactivity Studies in Antarctica
225-233
V. N. Nijampurkar, D. K. Rao, M. K. Kaul, S. Mukerji, R. K. Singh and D. Srivastava
Glacier Inventory of Wohlthat Mountain Chain, Queen Maud Land, Antarctica
D. Srivastava, M. K. Kaul, R. K. Singh, S. Mukerji and S. Jayaram 235-245
Ice Flow Conditions in the Ice Sheet Draining Part of the Central Queen
Maud Land, East Antarctica
. . . . . . M. K. Kaul, R. K. Singh, D. Srivastava, S. Mukerji and S. Jayaram
247-256
Section-Ill Meteorology
Meteorological Studies at Antarctica During The Period March, 1986 to
February, 1987
T. V. P. Bhaskara Rao
Blizzard Storms: Coastal Regions of Indian Antarctic Station, Dakshin
Gangotri (1985-86 Summer)
A. C. Sharma
Automatic Weather Station at Dakshin Gangotri, Antarctica
.
N. Y. Apte and T. V. P. Bhaskara Rao
A Note on the Role of Sub-Tropical Anticyclones of Southern Hemisphere
on the Severity and Persistence of Weather over Coastal Antarctica .
.
A. C. Sharma
Typical Meteorological and Oceanological Situation Encountered during the
Fifth Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (1985-86)
Surinderjit Singh
Section-IV
259-281
283-287
289-297
299-301
303-308
Biology and Oceanography
Primary and Extracellular Production during Austral Summer at 70°S, 12°E,
Antarctica . :
A. Pant
Short Term Variation in Particulate Organic Matter in the Shelf Waters of the
Princess Astrid Coast, Antarctica . . V. K. Dhargalkar and N. B. Bhosle
Seasonal Variation in Particulate Organic Matter and its Constituent Fractions
under the Ice covered sea near the Shelf, Antarctica
V. K. Dhargalkar
Studies on the Effect of Antarctic Environment on Some Saprophytic Tropical
Fungi
.....
H. M. Dayal,
G. P. Tandon, K. C. Tewari, Kamlesh Mehta, R. S. Pandey and H. C. Pant
311-320
321-330
331-339
341-349
Section-V Geomagnetism and Radiophysics
A Comparative study of Quiet Day Variation of the Geomagnetic Field at
Dakshin Gangotri (India) and Novolazarevskaya (USSR) in Antarctica .
G. K. Rangarajan and Ajav Dhar
Some Interesting Features of the Infrasonic Observation carried out during
the Fifth Indian Antarctic Expedition (1985-86)
R. Venkatachari, A. K. Saha and D. R. Nakra
Some Features of PC5 Magnetic Pulsations in Dakshin Gangotri, Antarctica
G. K. Rangarajan and Ajay Dhar
353-361'
363-366
367-381
Section-VI Remote Sensing
Remote Sensed Data Analysis for Geology and Glacial Geology of Wohlthat
Muhlig-Hofmann Mountain Chain in Queen Maud Land, East Antarctica
A. Narendra Nath
385-418
Section-VII Materials Research
Clothing for Antarctica
G. N. Chatterjee, R. P. Agarwal, V. K. Tandon and B. K. Banerjee 421-432
Fracture and Fatigue Studies on Mild and Structural Steels For Use in Antarctica
....,
Sameer Vijayakar, 433-441
Section-VIII Non-Conventional Energy
Experiments on Harnessing Non-Conventional Energy Sources in Antarctica
K. C. Ramakrishnan
445-453
Section-IX General
Mineralising Snow-Melt Water
. . B. K. Banerjee
A Note on Comparative Methane Measurements on an Antarctic Air Sample
D. C. Parashar, J. Rai,
Prabhat K. Gupta, V. Raman, R. C. Sharma, N. Singh, H. Singh and A. K. Saha
Communication System at Dakshin Gangotri, Antarctica . . .Tata Sudhakar
Prospects of Horticulture in Antarctica
.....
M. C. Joshi and B. K. Banerjee
457-464
465-466
467-472
473-487
FOREWORD
The Fifth Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica has been another step
forward in the Indian Antarctic programme. It extended its scientific activities
in areas far deeper than those attempted during the earlier expeditions. Successful
accomplishment of the multidisciplinary scientific work during this expedition
in the Wohlthat mountains has laid a firm foundation for further expansion of
the scientific activities around this mountain chain, in addition to those going
on at Dakshin Gangotri and Maitree.
During the Indian Expeditions to Antarctica, both fundamental and applied
researches have been carried out. Thus the rapidly advancing polar science has made
spectacular progress in the country. Continuation of the work in Antarctica has
led to further refinements in our knowledge and in the rediscovery of some of the
salient scientific features about this continent. Our main interest in Antarctica
has been in this rediscovery so as to establish further landmarks in Indian science.
The Fifth expedition team consisted of 88 members. It brought back a 13
member Second Wintering Team and left behind the Third Wintering Team
consisting of 14 members at the Dakshin Gangotri station for the continuation
of scientific observations and maintenance of the station.
This report includes investigations on a variety of scientific disciplines such
as geology, glaciology, marine biology, meteorology, geophysics, radiophysics,
geomagnetism, use of non-conventional sources of energy, remote sensing etc.
These papers are indeed testimony of India's unfailing involvement in polar science.
I take this opportunity to give my highest appreciation to all those who
participated in this expedition and carried out both scientific and logistic work
with great dedication and confidence.
I would also like to thank Mr. M.K. Kaul, the Leader of the Fifth Expedition
and his colleagues for finalising all the scientific works worthy of inclusion in
this report, and to my colleague, Mr. V. Ravindranathan for taking up the
responsibility of the editorial work of this report and for meticulously going
through each paper.
I am sure this report will also be well received by the Antarctic scientists
throughout the world.
October 1988
S.Z. QASIM
Secretary
Department of Ocean Development
New Delhi.
PREFACE
I would like to record, first of all, with appreciation the role played by
the earlier Indian expeditions to Antarctica, in building up a sound infrastructure
for continued scientific activity at Antarctica. Thus the 88 member Fifth Indian
Expedition to Antarctica left for the continent with the confidence that the latter
was neither distant nor desolate. There was a thirteen member party of the
Second Wintering already waiting to receive the expedition with the Indian
tricolour fluttering at the station building at Dakshin Gangotri. The inherent
hazards of Antarctica and its weather notwithstanding, the expedition was able
to start the work immediately after its arrival and to stay on the continent for
a much longer period, thus not only accomplishing the objectives but far exceeding
its targets.
The expedition has been a fine example of co-ordination and cohesion. The
expedition members, a highly motivated group, surmounted several difficulties
and heartily came to each other's help in the execution of their tasks, which
contributed not only to the building up of human relations but also the scientific
temper. The expedition started with a note of mutual understanding and ended
too on that note.
Behind the success of this expedition there was an inspiring support,
encouragement and guidance received from various sources by the leader and
the members, before, during, and after the expedition. On my behalf and on
behalf of the members of the team I express my gratitude to all of them.
My grateful thanks are due to Shri Shivraj Patil and Shri K.R. Narayanan,
Ministers of State for Science and Technology for their keen interest in this
programme. To Dr. S.Z. Qasim, Secretary, Department of Ocean Development,
whose deep involvement with Antarctica has established a milestone in Indian
science, I am thankful for guidance and constant encouragement at rvery stage.
Thanks are also due to Dr. S.. Vardarajan,. Adviser, Planning Commission, Dr.
V.S. Arunachalam, Scientific Adviser to Defence Ministry, Dr. A.P. Mitra,
Director General, C.S.I.R. and Shri B.K. Rao, Secretary, Department of Mines
for their interest in formulation and finalisation of the expedition objectives and
for their advice.
I would like to thank Shri I.G. Jhingran, the then Joint Secretary, and Shri
A.K. Mathur, Financial Adviser, Department of Ocean Development (D.O.D),
for their continued administrative support before and during the preparations of
the expedition. I am thankful to Dr. S.N. Dwivedi Additional Secretary and
Shri M.M.K. Sardana, Joint Secretary, D.O.D, for useful suggestions. My sincere
thanks are due to Shri Pavan Raina, Director, D.O.D, who, by his hard work
and dedication, solved many problems during the planning stage of the expedition.
Dr. S.A.H. Abidi, Director, D.O.D. was always helpful, whenever approached.
My thanks are due to Sq. Ldr. V.P. Savant who maintained a constant link with
the members of the team and their homes and meticulously carried out the
onerous task of conveying the messages to and fro, from his desk at D.O.D. I
also thank all the members of OD-I Section at D.O.D. who did a lot of work
during the pre-expedition preparations and on arrival of the team in Goa.
I am thankful to Shri S.K. Mukherji, former-Director General and Shri D.P.
Dhoundial, Director General, Geological Survey of India for their keen interest
and support, and to Shri A.P. Tewari, Deputy Director General, Shri V.K.
Raina, Deputy Director General, and Shri M.L. Parimoo, Director, Geological
Survey of India, for their guidance. I would like to thank Director General,
India Meteorological Department; Director, National Geophysical Research Institute; Director, National Institute of Oceanography; Director, Bharat Heavy
Electricals Limited; Chairman, Oil & Natural Gas Commission; Director, Indian
Institute of Geomagnetism; Director, National Physical Laboratory; Director,
Physical Research Laboratory; Director, National Remote Sensing Agency; Director, D.M.S.R.D.E. for their constant support in the execution of the scientific
programme.
I am thankful to the Chief of the Army Staff, Chief of the Naval Staff and
Chief of the Air Staff for providing a dedicated group of officers and men for
the expedition. I am also thankful to Maj. Gen. R.N. Verma; Vice Admiral L.
Ramdas; Air Marshal S. Raghavendran; Director, C.M.E., Pune; Maj. Gen. R.A.
Kadambi; Brig. Lalji D. Singh; Capt. P.I. Oommen; Air Commodore Shankaran;
Col. D.N. Tankha, for their active involvement in the logistics of the expedition.
Thanks are due to Chief Producer, Films Division for his cooperation. I would
like to express my gratitude to S/Shri A.K. Raina and R.N. Sood of the Liaison
Office, G.S.I., New Delhi, for their generous help at every stage.
It is a pleasure to acknowledge the help rendered by Goa Shipyard, Goa
Port Authority and M/s Hira Lai & Co. before sailing from and after the arrival
of the team in Goa. The Captain and crew of the ship M.V. Thuleland were
ever helpful and always co-operative.
I would personally like to thank all the members of the expedition, respective
team leaders and members of various committees framed during the expedition,
for their valuable suggestions and active co-operation which made the expedition
a success.
Antarctica Division
Geological Survey of India
NH — 5P, N.I.T.
FARIDABAD — 121 001.
October 1988
M.K. KAUL
Leader
PARTICIPANTS
S.No.
Name
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
Shri M.K. Kaul— Leader
Dr V.N. Nijampurkar Deputy Leader
Shri D. Srivastava
Shri S. Jayaram
Dr Shikhar Ch. Jain
Dr R.L. Dhar
Shri K.N.S. Reddy
Shri Dinesh Nanda
Shri Ajay Dhar
Shri K.C. Ramakrishnan
Shri Sameer Suresh Vijayakar
Shri A. Narendra Nath
Shri D.R. Nakra
Shri N.Y. Apte
Dr (Miss) Aditi Pant
Shri Tata Sudhakar
Miss Gowri Indresan
Shri B.K. Banerjee
Lt. Col. T.N. Ramdas
Shri D.K. Lodhi
Shri Prakash Parmar
Shri Payan Raina
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
Lt. Col. R.P. Ahuja
Major J.S.Sidhu
Major K.S. Sooch
Capt. V.I. Trivedi
Capt. N.R.K. Babu
L/Nk. I.S. Devasagayam
Nk. Shivaji Bhosale
Nk. D.S. Paste
Hav. Lalita Prasad
Nk. George Thomas
Nk. Sajjan Singh
Hav. E. Ramarao
Nk. Balbir Singh
Hav. Jagar Singh
Nk. Sewa Singh
Hav. Gurcharan Singh
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Organisation
Geological Survey of India
Physical Research Laboratory
Geological Survey of India.
,,
National Geophysical Research Institute
,,
Oil and,,Natural Gas Commission
Indian Institute of Geomagnetism
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.
I.I.T., Bombay
National Remote Sensing Agency
National Physical Laboratory
India Meteorological Deptt.
National Institute of Oceanography
,,
IIT, Madras
Defence Research and Development Organisation
,,
,,
Films Division, Govt, of India
Deptt. of Ocean Development
Indian Army
,,
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39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
Nk. K. Nagaraj
Sub. S.N. Das
HMT.R.P.Tiwari
Nb. Sub. S.S. Gill
Cdr. R.S. Bhandari
Lt. Cdr. A.S. Manaise
Lt.Cdr. K.V. Achaya
Lt. Cdr. H.S. Oberoi
Lt. Cdr. Surinderjit Singh
Lt. Cdr. L.K. Kapur
Surg Lt. Cdr. S.K. Mohanty
(Doctor)
Lt. K. Ravindran
AA3. K. Baburaj
EAA3. P.A. Patil
LCK 'O'.P.D.S.Babu
POELAR. P.N. Rajagopal
CK 'O' I. N.J. Chandran
LCK ' O ' . Bisna Ram
Wg. Cdr. V.K. Sharma
Wg. Cdr. V. Natarajan
Wg. Cdr. L.B. Stone
Sqn. Ldr. Y.S. Das
Sqn. Ldr. A.C. Sharma
Sqn. Ldr. S.K.S. Puri (Doctor)
Flt. Lt. E. Mallikarjuna
W O . B . Anantharaj
W O . G . K. Viswanadham
WO.B. Singh
Sgt. D.K. Shingari
Sgt. Sohan Ram
Sgt. A.K. Das
WO.Mukundan Nair
Sgt. Kalaichelvan
JWO.K. Thankappan
Sgt. H.S.R. Patel
Sgt. R. Prasad
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Indian Navy
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Indian Air Force
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WINTER TEAM
75.
Dr V.K. Dhargalkar, Dy.
Leader & Station Commander
National Institute of Oceanography
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
87.
88.
Major R.K. Unni
Major Chander Mohan Adya
(Doctor)
Shri R.K. Singh
Dr S. Mukerji
Shri T.V.P. Bhaskara Rao
Hav. Surjit Singh
Hav. Chandra Choodan
Nb. Sub. M.U. Achaiah
Nk. Chanan Singh
Lt, P.D. Yadav
POELAR, S.R. Malvade
POELAR. M. Chand
LCK 'O'. P.B. Dass
Indian Army
,,
Geological Survey of India
,,
India Meteorological Deptt
Indian Army
,,
,,
,,
Indian Navy
,,
,,
,,
y<*"
t
U
Chander Mohan Adya
R.K. Singh
S. Mukerji
T.V.P. Bhaskara Rao
Surjit Singh
Chandra Choodan
M.U. Achaiah
Chanan Singh
P.D. Yadav
S.R. Malvade
M. Chand
P.B. Dass
Fifth Indian Expedition to Antarctica, Scientific Report, 1988
Department of Ocean Development, Technical Publication No. 5, pp. 25-53
The Fifth Indian Voyage to Antarctica
M.K. KAUL
Expedition Leader
Abstract
The Fifth Indian Scientifc Expedition to Antarctica left India on 30th Nov., 1985
and reached the icy continent on 24th Dec, 1985. It started its return journey on 3rd
March, 1986 after completing all its objectives. This paper gives a brief account of how
the expedition was conducted and the tasks that were achieved, both in the scientific and
logistic categories. The expedition left behind a team of fourteen members of the Third
Wintering at Dakshin Gangotri and brought back the thirteen member Second Wintering
Team.
Introduction
After four successful Indian expeditions to Antarctica, the Fifth Expedition
sailed on 30.11.85. The objectives of the expedition were the continuation of
India's scientific programme in Antarctica, with a major thrust on taking the
activities further into the interior of Antarctica than hitherto attempted. In
addition to this scientific programme, the task assigned to the expedition was
the repair and maintenance of the existing permanent structures of the Station
at Dakshin Gangotri and Maitree camps.
The Team
The 88 member team was drawn from several different scientific institutions
of the country, and from the three wings of the Defence Services, namely Army,
Navy and Air Force for the logistic support. The organisations.which participated
in the expedition are as follows:—
Geological Survey of India (GSI)
National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI)
India Meteorological Department (IMD)
National Institute of Oceanography (NIO)
Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)
M. K. Kaul
26
National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIGM)
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL)
National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA)
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC)
Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
Indian Army
Indian Navy
Indian Air Force
Films Division
Department of Ocean Development (DOD)
The scientific team had twenty-three members representing thirteen different
scientific organisations. The Army had a twenty-six member team and the Navy
and Air Force were represented by eighteen members each. There was a
representative each from the Department of Ocean Development (DOD) and
the Films Division of Government of India. O n e workman from D R D O was
also included in the team. The Armed Forces Medical Corp included a surgeon,
a physician and an anaesthetist.
Loading Operations
The ship chartered for the Expedition was M.V. T H U L E L A N D , a Swedish
iceclass IA, Super hull. The ship has six holds and two single and one twin
crane for handling cargo, capable of lifting 25 tonnes upto a height of 26 metres.
During the expedition the vessel accommodated 88 charter's personnel in crew
cabins, on the poopdeck, maindeck and container accommodations. The uniform
time charter executed between the owners and the charterer was strictly followed
both by the crew and expedition members. The team, after reporting itself at
Marmagoa port, Goa, started the loading operations almost round the clock and
650 tonnes of cargo were distributed as under:Holds
Deck
Cargo
Fuel
Other cargo
Aircrafts.
Tonnage (MT)
Deck cargo
75
575
The Fifth Indian Voyage to Antarctica
27
Fuel was stored in the ship's tanks with a capacity of 14000 litres each and
thus, seven tanks were filled. The rest of the fuel was kept in the tanks supplied
by DRDO and in sealed barrels of the Indian Oil Corporation. The ship's tanks
and DRDO containers were thoroughly cleaned and flushed before, filling. The
other cargo consisted of the construction material, spares of vehicles, clothing,
camping equipment, food (from FTRI, DFRL, Super Bazar, M A F C O and Modern
Food Industries), hydrogen gas cylinders, medical supplies, L.P.G. cylinders,
scientific equipment, communication equipment etc.
The Cruise — Destination Antarctica
The ship left Marmagoa port on 30.11.85 at 1740 hrs. IST for Antarctica.
Some deviation in the route had to be made only at Mauritius for 51/2 hours
on 8.12.85 for changing a few crew members. The ship did not berth alongside
and the crew was changed by a tugboat. The journey from Mauritius to Antarctica
faced a phase of difficult weather conditions, apart from the usual turbulant sea
in the roaring forties. On 15.12.85 a cyclonic storm with a central pressure of
968 mb was observed at location Lat. 60°S — Long. 15°E. The ship experienced
very rough weather with wind speeds of 55 knots. On 16.12.85 the storm was
faced on the way to position Lat. 62°S — Long. 35°E. It was further discovered
by the expedition leader and the captain of the ship that if the ship was allowed
to proceed along its pre-determined course, a storm with a speed of 80 to 100
knots would be encountered, as per the facsimile charts. This could be dangerous
for the expedition and detrimental to the cargo, helos etc. Hence a westerly
course was maintained upto 19.12.85, till the storm passed away and the ship's
course was accordingly again altered towards its destination. Weather charts were
regularly received during the cruise.
During the cruise, regular meetings were held by the Leader with the
scientific and logistic team members, individually and collectively, to formulate
plans and programmes for unloading of cargo, shifting of materials, scientific
work and execution of other jobs during the journey and after reaching the
continent. Regular recreational facilities such as films, books, cards, table tennis,
chess, carrom, gymnasium etc. were kept at the disposal of the members. Several
committees were formed by the Leader to look after the mess, recreation, watch
and ward, and stores. The warm clothing was issued to each member before
entering the cold zone.
Arrival
The ship entered the pack ice on 17.12.85 and the latest facsimile chart was
specially requested from Molodezhnaya which was obtained on 19.12.85, with
two recommended routes plotted on it, based upon the concentration of pack
ice. The ship altered its course to converge on the nearest point of the recommended
routes. A reconnaisance flight by the helicopters helped in finding favourable
leads which were followed and the ship reached polynya without any further
M. K. Kaul
28
difficulty. It arrived close to the fast ice on 24.12.85, which was the Christmas
eve. Immediately on arrival at fast ice, the first sortie was organised for landing
at Dakshin Gangotri Station and the landing was made at 1740 hours local time,
to the jubilation of the members of Second Wintering Team anxiously awaiting
our arrival.
Shifting the Loads at Antarctica
As per the action plan already chalked out, unloading operations started
immediately on the morning of 25.12.85. Initially the cargo lying on the deck
was unloaded, out of which priority was given to the scientific cargo. The very
first sortie was taken for dropping scientists and their instruments at Dakshin
Gangotri to enable them to start scientific work without losing any time. Having
completed the transfer of scientists, essential scientific equipment and other related
cargo on 25.12.85, another scientific team was shifted to Maitree camp along
with instruments and infrastructural facilities on 26.12.85 after activating the
camp one day earlier i.e. on 25.12.85. On 27.12.85 a fully operational communication
system was set up at Maitree.
Due to intermittent bad weather the ship could not come alongside till
12.1.86. But due to recurrence of bad weather, again it had to move away from
the shelf. It was only from 16.1.86 that the ship could stay alongside for a few
days, with breaks, till 20.2.86. The dates on which the ship was alongside are
as follows:From (Local time)
To (Local time)
12.1.86 1115 hrs.
12.1.86 1940 hrs.
16.1.86 1030 hrs.
23.1.86 2325 hrs.
24.1.86 1530 hrs.
24.1.86 1030hrs.
04.2.86 1020 hrs.
04.2.86 1720 hrs.
05.2.86 1050 hrs.
11.2.86 2045 hrs.
13.2.86 1530 hrs.
14.2.86 1.310 hrs.
17.2.86 1530 hrs.
20.2.86 1000 hrs.
These periods were utilised to the maximum extent possible for transferring
the loads from the ship to the station on piston bullys and for timely transportation
of the cargo. Simultaneously, cargo was shifted in the helicopters also, avoiding
any flight on the days of bad weather. The break up of the cargo shifted from
the ship using air and ground transport during the above period is as follows:Cargo
1. Fuel
By helicopters
(MT)
72
By sledges
(MT)
108
The Fifth Indian Voyage to Antarctica
29
2. Construction and allied stores
80
45
3. Spares and allied stores
15
15
4. Food stuff
10
50
5. Hydrogen/L.P.G cylinders
2
13
6. Scientific and communication stores
30
7. Containers
—
7
209
238
Total
__
The heavier cargo such as the fuel containers with a capacity of approximately
4500 litres each, food containers and articulating sledges were shitted much in
advance to ensure timely and proper positioning of the fuel and stores for the
Third Wintering Team.
Helo Operations
The helicopter flying operations commenced on the day the ship reached
Antarctica i.e. on 24.12.85 and terminated on 03.3.86, when the ship departed
from Antarctica. The helicopter operations were carried out for logistic support
to scientific teams in various camps, personnel and cargo shifting, photo reconnaissance and aerial reconnaissance, ice-berg landing, casualty evacuation and
medical support and other operations in hilly, rough and icy terrains, including
that for the identification of camp site in the interior area of Petermann Range
for future work. These were also utilised for route reconnaissance to aid in
ship's navigation in fast ice and pack ice during both downward and upward
voyages. A summarised account of the flying operations by both Navy and Air
Force is given in the following table.
Navy
(Two Chetaks)
Air Force
(Two MI8)
608
1369
Load (tonnes)
14
248
Flying (hours)
274
117
Sorties (nos.)
258
321
Passenger
ferrying
(Nos.)
Scientific Programme
The main thrust of the Expedition was on the extension of multidisciplinary
scientific activities into the more interior areas of Antarctica besides expansion of
the activities already in progress. Accordingly, the scientific team was divided
30
M.K. Kaul
into four major groups. It was ensured that each group was multidisciplinary
in nature and logisticaily self contained. The following scientific disciplines were
tackled from the respective camps:
Gruber camp
(Wohlthat mountains)
: Geology, glaciology, remote sensing, biology,
performance appraisal of clothing.
Maitree camp
(Schirmacher hills)
: Geophysics, geology, glaciology, biology,
remote sensing, non-conventional energy,
meteorology, materials research, experiments
on indoor horticulture.
Dakshin Gangotri
Camp
: Meteorology, geomagnetism, radio-physics,
glaciology, non-conventional energy, remote
sensing on shelf ice, materials research,
experiments on mineral tablets and indoor
horticulture.
Polynya (Ship)
: Biology and oceanography, meteorology.
Besides the above scientific disciplines, during the Expedition, two studies
were initiated for the first time in the Indian programme, viz. search for meteorites
and reconnaissance aerial photography of the mountain areas. Extensive search
for meteorites was made both on ground and by low flying from helicopters,
but no meteorite could be located. A short note on the search during this
expedition is given as Annexure 'A'. Also, aerial photography was carried out
over Gruber massif and Petermann area by devising a platform in a Chetak
helicopter and fitting an Agiflite camera onto it. Though the results are encouraging,
all of them are not found to be completely fit for stereoscopic interpretations.
A brief note on this reconnaissance is given in Annexure 'B'.
It was for the first time that a camp was established at Gruber massif in
the eastern flank of the Wohlthat mountain chain. The camp was provided with
the services of a doctor and a wireless communication set. The wireless communication could link this camp with the Maitree camp and the main station. This
camp site lying about 180 kms inside from the shelf is one of the windiest
places in Antarctica, often resulting in the tents blowing off due to high winds.
No container accommodation was till then available for such camps.
At Maitree, the camp was activated on the next day of arrival at Antarctica
i.e. on 25.12.85 and the scientific component was shifted on 26.12.85. A doctor
and a communication team was included in the group. The camp was closed on
19.2.86, after fifty-six days of stay by the scientists and the logistic teams.
At Dakshin Gangotri station the scientific team was landed on the very
next day of arrival. Initially the scientists were accommodated in tents which
got heavily damaged and buried in snow only after two days. The scientists
were then accommodated in the D R D O complex accommodation and hangar
The Fifth Indian Voyage to Antarctica
31
garage where infra-structural facilities like provision of water, electricity and
laboratory facilities were arranged and improvised. The camp was closed on
28.2.86 after a stay of sixty-six days, thus making maximum time available for
recording observations.
A modular laboratory was installed on the ship before departure from Goa
for carrying out experiments on board the ship during the cruise and while at
Antarctica. A hydrographic winch installed on the ship catered to the collection
of marine samples on board the ship. The oceanographic group used the modular
laboratory and the winch.
Constructions and Maintenance Work at the Station
After the construction loads were shifted from the ship to Dakshin Gangotri
Station, the construction work, which included the strengthening of the station
building and routine maintenance, was immediataly started. The following tasks
were accomplished:
1. Strengthening of link block and fuel tank room from inside.
2. Construction of staircases in blocks A & B.
3. Extension of all generator exhausts, general purpose exhaust and fresh air
intakes.
4. Extension of snow melt tank.
5. Clearance of snow from blocks A & B and between them.
6. Construction of gabble roof over toilets and Sauna.
7. Construction of cabin in Hangar for alternate communication room.
8. Construction of base for SATCOM in block B.
9. Strengthening of gabbles in blocks A & B.
10. Construction of new floor, strengthening of beams and establishment of two
generators in the station garage.
11. Strengthening of roof in block A.
12. Shifting of SATCOM system from D R D O complex to alternate communication
room in the Hangar garage.
13. Shifting of SATCOM dome from link block to new base in Block B.
14. Construction of generator cabin in vehicle Hangar and establishment of one
generator there.
15. Digging of two Portakabins from D R D O complex and their installation in
Hangar as alternate accommodation.
32
M. K. Kaul
16. Repair, maintenance and activation of the Maitree huts and their essential
services.
17. Modification of sewage system of toilets at Maitree camp and construction
of a generator cabin.
18. Construction of summer toilets at Dakshin Gangotri immediately on arrival
of the summer team.
19. Repair, maintenance and servicing of vehicles, snow cutters, cranes, generators,
boilers, snow melt plant at Dakshin Gangotri.
20. Servicing of refrigeration plant and other electrical systems at the station.
21. Strengthening of roof and floor of D R D O Complex, provision of a new
escape shaft and maintenance of living and kitchen modules of the complex.
Communication Systems
At Dakshin Gangotri Station two SATCOM terminals are available. One is
in the main station building with telephone, telex, fax and SSTV facilities and
the other is in the main garage with telephone and telex services. The spare
SATCOM was non-functional because of a defective power supply unit. This
power supply unit was replaced during the Expedition and the system was made
fully operational and serviceable. The performance of the spare SATCOM was
confirmed by repeated tests and it is now fully operational.
Arrival India
After having successfully completed all the allotted tasks at Antarctica, the
Expedition sailed back for India in the early hours of 03.3.1986, bringing along
with the members of the Second Wintering Team and leaving behind a fourteen
member Third Wintering Team. The expedition landed safely back in India at
09.00 hrs on 24.3.1986.
Some Highlights of the Expedition
In its quest to achieve the identified objectives the Fifth Indian Scientific
Expedition to Antarctica had many accomplishments some of which are as follows:
1. A record stay of 69 days on the icy continent was made, making the
fullest use of the available summer time. Members stayed for 56 days
at MAITREE Camp and for 66 days at DAKSHIN GANGOTRI for
completing the assigned tasks.
2. Positioning of the scientific and logistic teams was done at respective
camps within the shortest possible time after the arrival of the ship in
Antarctica. Within two days of the arrival, the scientific work was in
full swing.
The Fifth Indian Voyage to Antarctica
33
3. Extension of multidisciplinary scientific studies into the interior of the
continent, by establishing additional summer camp in Wohlthat mountains
was achieved. Wohlthat mountain chain is one of the highest and difficult
mountain chains girdling Antarctica.
4. Geological mapping and regional mineral assessment of the entire Gruber
massif of the Wohlthat range and the northern part of the Petermann
range was completed. Examination of the geology of nine NUNATAKS,
located farther away from the Schirmacher hills was also carried out.
5. Geophysical survey of the entire Schirmacher hills for identifying the
probable loci of mineralisation was accomplished.
6. Reconnaissance aerial photography of Gruber massif and Petermann
range of Wohlthat mountains, supported by ground truths, to help
develop technique for the interpretation of aerial photos of the area was
achieved.
7. Aerial profiling for remote sensing over Gruber massif and Petermarin
range of Wohlthat mountain chain was carried out. The four band
spectral signatures and temperatures have been recorded, which will help
in the interpretation of satellite imagery of these areas.
8. Establishment of fully operative communication systems at Wohlthat and
Maitree camps, during the period of stay was achieved.
9. Studies on the environmental preservation and strict observance of rules
for maintaining the Antarctic ecosystem were fully enforced.
10. Launching of a record number of sorties for the support to scientific
teams and shifting of loads by the Navy and Air Force, free from any
accident was achieved. The Navy flew sorties for an aggregate of 274
hours and Air Force for 117 hours.
11. A small helipad for landing MI-8 helicopters was established in the
interior of Petermann range, thus opening avenue for temporary camp
site for future summer expedition parties.
12. Experiments on growing of vegetables at Dakshin Gangotri and Maitree
were conducted.
13. Repairs, maintenance, servicing and strengthening of the station much
before the targeted date were completed.
14. Established a Data Collection Platform at Dakshin Gangotri which
transmits directly the weather data to India through the satellite.
15. Positioning of the Third Wintering Team was completed with all infrastructural facilities at the station before the scheduled date, thus enabling
them to initiate scientific work well in advance.
Some of the interesting aspects and activities of the expedition are depicted
in Fig 1 to 20.
34
M. K. Kaul
Reference
KAUL, M.K (1986) :Preliminary report — Fifth Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (1985-86)
Department of Ocean Development, Govt, of India.
The Fifth Indian Voyage to Antarctica
Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
The Expedition ship M.V. Thuleland alongside the fast ice.
Establishment of summer camp in the vicinity of Dakshin Gangotri station.
M. K. Kaul
56
Fig. 3.
The summer camp buried under snow after a severe blizzard within two days
of establishing it.
Fig. 4.
The 'beard' after the 'blizzard'.
The Fifth Indian Voyage to Antarctica
Fig. 5.
Fig. 6.
snow accumulation around the station after the blizzard.
The summer camp with communication facility at Gruber massif.
37
M. K. Kaui
38
Fig. 7. Extension of shafts and exhausts in the main building atDakshin Gangotri.
Fig. 8.
Part of the exposed section of the station after snow clearance.
The Fifth Indian Voyage to Antarctica
39
Fig 9. Strengthening of roof of the DRDO complex at Dakshin Gangotri and construction
of a new escape shaft.
Fig. 10. Establishment of alternate SATCOM communication system at Hangar garage site.
M. K. Kaul
40
Fig. 11.
The new position of the SATCOM dome in block B
Fig. 12. Reconnaissance for locating a suitable camp site in the Wobltbat ranges, west
of Gruber massif.
The Fifth Indian Voyage to Antarctica
Fig. 13.
Fig. 14.
Clearing the ground for the camp site in Petermann ranges.
Geological mapping around Nunataks.
41
M. K. Kaul
42
Fig. 15.
Negotiating a cliff in course of geological mapping.
Fig. 16. Fixing thes position during geological traverses in the Wobltbat mountains
The Fifth Indian Voyage to Antarctica
Fig. 17.
Fig. 18.
Geological mapping in the higher reaches of eastern Wohlthat range.
A stranded iceberg in fast ice off Daksbin Gangotri shelf.
43
44
M. K. Kaul
Fig. 19-
Fig. 20.
The friendly 'natives'—Emperor penguins watching from the fast ice.
The fourteen member third wintering team, which stayed back, seen with the
expedition leader on the eve of departure of the Fifth Indian expedition back
to India
The Fifth Indian Voyage to Antarctica
45
Annexure 'A'
Search for Meteorites During the
Fifth Antarctic Expedition
Background:
Antarctica has proved to be the most attractive field for
meteorite search. Since the discovery of the first meteorite in
December 1912 by the Australian expedition party at Adelie
Land, there has been a continuous search for meteorites in
other areas of the continent. This effort has led to the large
collection by Japanese and American expeditions near Yamato
mountains and Allen hills, respectively. India's interest in
search for meteorites in the area of Queen Maud Land, where
the Indian scientific activity is going on at present, was all
the more stimulated by the past collection of a meteorite in
two fragments from this very area by a U.S.S.R team in 1961.
Common types:
The three common types of meteorites which fall on earth as
extra-terrestrial bodies are the stony meteorites (representing
93% of meteorite fall), iron meteorites (representing about
6%) and stony-irons (representing about 1%), which are the
tools for understanding the origin and evolution of the solar
system. Few meteorites have also been traced to Moon and
Mars as their parent and many still unknown facts may be
buried under the ice of Antarctic continent.
The search
programme:
It was in the light of the above that the decision was taken during
the DOD - ADCOS meeting on April 17, 1985 that a meteorite
search programme should be launched by India also and should
be initiated during the Fifth Indian Expedition to Antarctica.
The meteorite search programme being a part of the total
geological and glaciological programme of Geological Survey
of India (GSI) and Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), it
was decided that due to logistic constraints regarding helicopter
sorties etc., this programme will be clubbed with geological
and glaciological programmes, alongwith supporting programmes on meteorology and radioscience. The meteorite search
programme was, therefore, initiated at Antarctica during the
Fifth Expedition as a GSI - PRL collaborative programme.
The participants in this programme were M.K. Kaul, V.N.
Nijampurkar, R.K. Singh, D. Srivastava, S. Jayaram and S.
Mukerji.
Probable loci:
Several distribution and accumulation models for meteorites
have been worked out by virtue of actual field experience of
different field workers. The most common and simple model
is that when a meteorite falls on bare ice it sinks into the
46
M.K. Kaul
upper softer layers and gets trapped in the solid ice. The
latter, being constantly in a state of flow, carries the meteorite
along its flow trajectory till an obstruction in the form of a
mountain barrier or a nunatak folds the lower ice layers in
an upward direction. Due to ablation by wind or melting, the
ice layers thus folded get exposed and along with them the
meteorites concentrate. Any flow trajectory that does not meet
an obstruction may ultimately reveal itself in the outermost
margins of the continent or on shelf ice-polar ice transition
zone. Hence in addition to these probable loci of meteorites,
the blue ice zones, terminal moraines near the obstructions
and isolated stone like bodies standing out conspicuously in
a white expanse of ice were also earmarked for examination.
Such an exercise of delineating the probable loci was done
on satellite imagery and available maps before the departure
of the expedition.
Field search
and collection:
Two types of search were conducted for locating any meteorite
during the Expedition:1. During routine geological and glaciological traverses on the
ground for geological and glacio-geomorphological mapping,
attention was paid to any unusual looking rock or stone of
different shapes. Attention was paid especially to any rock
that would show depressions called 'thumb prints', fusion
crusts or chondrules. Any 'suspects' were thoroughly examined
under a hand lens. These were examined for specific gravity
with reference to the surrounding debris. In spite of negative
tests some possible 'suspects' were still collected and brought
back to India. They were handled with utmost care being
photographed insitu and packed in plastic bags avoiding contamination. No 'suspect' was broken, hammered or subjected
to any impact. Before packing, these were properly numbered
(Fig. 21). The 'suspects' thus collected were located in the
Gruber and Schirmacher moraines as black heavy chunks.
2. In addition to the above ground search, an aerial search
was carried out in the area from south of Gruber massif
(midway to Payer mountains) to Schirmacher hills in the
regions of suspected meteorite occurrence. Also the shelf area
was surveyed aerially to locate any conspicuous object within
the ice. Flying was carried out by Chetak helicopters at low
altitudes varying from 100 to 500 feet and covering an area
of about 5000 sq kms. All the members were aided by
binoculars during aerial search. All the helicopter pilots and
some other members were briefed about the background
The Fifth Indian Voyage to Antarctica
47
information on meteorites. A few guidelines and characteristics
of the meteorites were explained and distributed to them in
the form of a note by the Leader. T h e fliers were very conscious
of the meteorite search programme whenever they used to fly
and were very watchful.
Fig. 21.
Results:
The meteorite suspects' as collected in the field.
T h e 'suspects' collected during the above search were subjected
to chemical analyses and proved to be ilmenite chunks and
not any meteorite. T h e ore microscopic and other petrological
studies revealed that the predominant ore mineral is ilmenite
varying from 9 0 % (visual estimate) to less than 5 0 % in
different samples. Higher percentages of titanium are noted
in samples showing massive ilmenite while lower percentages
are noted in samples that show admixing with t h i n veins or
isolated patches. A typical photomicrograph of the polished
section of one of the samples is given in Fig. 22.
48
M. K. Haul
Fig. 22 Photomicrograph of the ilmenite sample showing magnetite
crystals (negative scale is 6.3 X 10).
Suggestions:
/.
It is suggested that the search for meteorites should be
continued in the ensuing expeditions and the scientists not
familiar with the meteorites and their characteristics should
be exposed to the gallery of meteorites collections in the G.S.I
museum, Calcutta to enable them to easily identify a 'suspect'
in the field. They should also be apprised with the field
identification techniques for meteorites at GSI and PRL
laboratories.
The Fifth Indian Voyage to Antarctica
49
Annexure ' B '
Reconnaissance Aerial Photography
1. In the absence of any vertical air photographs, pertaining to the Wohlthat
mountains with the Indian expedition, it was decided during the Fifth
Antarctic Expedition to attempt, on an experimental basis, the vertical air
photography of a part of this mountain chain. The platform used was a
Chetak helicopter of the Indian Navy in which an Agiflite camera was
mounted vertically. The contraption was devised in such a manner so as to
save the camera lens from fogging due to exposure while flying at high altitudes.
2. The photography was carried across the trend of the main mountain range
along a pre-determined path. The flight lines are shown in Fig. 23. Each
Fig. 23. Map showing flight lines and height of flying for reconnaissance aerial
photography in the eastern Wohlthat mountains during the Fifth Indian
Antarctic Expedition.
50
M. K. Kaul
frame was exposed in such a manner so as to affect an overlap on the next
frame along the flight line. After completion of one flight line, the return
flight was taken on a parallel line, but offset laterally, to an extent permitted
by flying constraints. As such the lateral overlap was not possible though
the linear overlap could be controlled along the line of flight.
3. Though the photography was done on an experimental basis, fully realising
the constraints of the platform used, it was tried, as far as possible, to
maintain a uniform height of flying along a particular traverse line to later
work out the scale of photograph reasonably accurately. Due to eddy effect
of the wind and other flying constraints, the uniformity, however, could
not be maintained.
4.
After return of the Expedition, the films were developed and photographs
enlarged. The clarity of the pictures was found to be remarkably satisfactory
(Fig. 24). An example of a stereo-pair is reproduced in Fig. 25. The
Fig. 24. Aerial photograph showing distinct boundaries between moraines (a), wind
blown mow (b), surface ice melt (c) and polar ice (d).
fig-25.
A stereo pair of lobate (ice-cored) moraines f o r m i n g interesting geomorphological feature in the Petermann ranges. Photointerpretation reveals elevated
terminal cliffs.
The Fifth Indian Voyage to Antarctica
53
photographs can be used by the subsequent expeditions for l i m i t e d g r o u n d
checks and delineation of detailed features of geological a n d g e o m o r p h i c
interest, including fixation of the scale of the photographs, in t h o s e s t r e t c h e s
which have been conveniently depicted on the photographs. T h e o v e r l a p ,
however, is linear only in few cases and the scale would differ f r o m f l i g h t
to flight due to changes in flying altitudes.
5. .It is suggested that in view of the clarity of results and c o n v e n i e n t l i n e a r
overlap, wherever obtained, during the above exercise, a detailed p l a n f o r
aerial photography could be worked out for some stretches of W o h l t h a t
mountains where technical flying difficulties of helicopters is m i n i m u m . T h e
flight lines can be oriented and extended in such a way as to a l l o w l a t e r a l
overlap also which would enhance the utility of photographs. A t t e m p t s at
maintaining uniform heights of flying on the flight lines can be m a d e . O n e
more exercise of flying with this objective is worth making to o b t a i n q u i c k
look prints, within the limitations, as an aid to surveying on the g r o u n d .