Burton Island (AGB 1) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 98 text:

In the Pensacola Mountains, the largest scientific party of the season found evidence that Antarctica, which may have been link- ed to South America long ago, according to geological similarities in the Andes and the Trans-Antarctic Range, may also have been a part of India. Tillites - glacial debris - from the carboniferous period, about 300 million years ago, occur at almost the same levels in Antarctica, South Africa, South America, and India. Fossils in the Horlick Mountains, such as braclziopoda, an early form of scallop, show that the Antarctic was much warmer once and had a lush vegetation. After ten years of investigation, sup- ported by Operation Deep Freeze, the geologists are beginning a new era of detailed analyses, in which they will write the compli- cated geological history of Antarctica. Toward the end of February, the Continent prepared to shut down for the winter. After the last aircraft flew out, a ship or two, engaged in scientific Work, prowled around the coasts, but after the last letters departed, the men at the five lonely stations had only radio contact with the rest of the world. Here, the true heroes remained, almost all of them members of Antarctic Support Activities, to keep the stations running for the next seven months. They perform many humble jobs, but the clue to the vitality of Deep Freeze is the patience with which the men of ASA back up the often invisible work of the scientists. Even the penguins disappeared. The sun stood lower and lower above the horizon, and soon there was ordinary sunrise and sunset, before the final curtain of night, on April 22. It requires an unusual determination to remain - in total darkness - on the ice. 5 W if if ffm. izfi , S. ' X , If , ff, ff 5 i.Ji,.ig px, ,, 55X g 5

Page 97 text:

- ee e - e cccr c In the center of this photograph is Bob Mayfield, who was flown out for emergency medical treatment in the middle of the Antarctic winter lsee pages 98-99l. During the summer, he had been in charge of all outside work for SWI Jim Starr, otherwise known as the water king. Mayfield, here, is cleaning out the snow-melter behind the mess hall at McMurdo. Thisis one of the vital sources of fresh water for the station, and mud and rocks tend to get mixed in with the snow. ,ff i7'Z L'1EL41l'i'f'- ZPEPWL ff4,,fll ,LLC .

Page 99 text:

a bf: 1 7 ' - Lf 71i-7-.r 7-.H'?-2-wil-?1-?'1-1-H al' T- The leader of a scientific party on the Ross lce Shelf reads his Christmas mail. Since the Goon that flew out to resupply them couldn't get to them for a few days be- cause of bad weather, they were happy to see visitors. Opposite: Adelie penguins in an Agnes DeMille ballet.