June 21, 2017

Drilling at Swiss site and the Greenland national day

Testing the polarized radar that can see bedrock and ice crystal orientation in the ice sheet.

A drilling attempt was made at the Swiss site today. The drill penetrated some 15 m in about 20 min! Several conditions were not optimal, but today’s achievement proves that the RADIX drill is indeed a rapid access drill. A leak in the system leads to loss of drill liquid and the drilling was stopped. The borehole was then emptied for drill liquid by pressurized air.
Otherwise, camp is getting ready to receive a skier tomorrow. The wind sledge is being packed down, pallets and ice core boxes are being documented. The skiway has been groomed by Chris and Sverrir and is in very good conditions, night temperatures are low, and the weather forecast is promising.
Today is the Greenland national day and Greenlander Jens Jakob from the Windsled team gave a nice speech about Greenland traditions related to the longest day, the importance and symbolism of the Greenland flag, and his appreciation of Greenland and the ice sheet being involved in international research of great importance for future generations worldwide.

What we did today:

1. Deep drilling core length: 11.48 m.
2. Logging depth: 464.27 m.
3. Water isotopes: 333.30 m
4. Firn gas sampling depth: 60 m
5. RADIX drilling to 15 m below pilot hole.
6. Water vapour, methane, aerosols, snow and boundary layer measurements
7. Prepared pallets with drums and equipment
8. Opened staircase to trenches
9. Groomed apron with tiller
10. Ice core box inventory

Weather: Blue sky with scattered high clouds all day. Temperature -4°C to -20°C. Wind 0-6 kt from W. Calm most of the afternoon.

FL, Anders Svensson

Jakob and Remo drilling 15 m in 20 min.

The skiway is more than ready to receive the skier tomorrow.