July 11, 2019

How to break the core?

Two pieces of ice core broken apart by our drill. Creating these breaks now takes more force than can safely be provided by our drill system.

Today we had time to discuss the most pressing issue here at EGRIP with our DVs: How can we best continue drilling, given the enormous breaking strength of the EGRIP ice that we have encountered. Hence, we had an evening with a number of science presentations, including the newest data and ideas on the physical properties of the ice here. Furthermore, we had a presentation on how it could be possible to better achieve core breaks here at EGRIP, yielding many interesting discussions until late in the evening between camp crew and our group of DVs. Surely many of the ideas brought to the table will be further discussed at our autumn international drillers meeting in Copenhagen this year.
Otherwise work progressed in the science trench, while the DVs got to see our processing line and measurement cabins in the trench. The surface science also continued to plan, including atmospheric measurements of water vapor and methane.

What we did during the day:

1. Ice core processing of 38 bags, including detailed isotope samples, last bag 3799.
2. CFA measurements of 25 bags, last bag 3422.
3. PP measurements in science trench, last bag 3656.
4. Station for atmospheric moisture sampling and isotopic measurement is active.
5. Hosting 8 DVs and NHK media crew of two.
6. Science evening on EGRIP data and ideas on how to break EGRIP ice cores.
7. Grooming skiway.
8. Preparing cargo for tomorrows flight.

EGRIP population is 37.

Weather: Wind between 3kts and 13kts from NW. Sunny spells until noon, then more cloudy with some light snow. Temperatures from -11°C to -6°C.

FL, Bo Vinther