Upload
tiana
View
26
Download
3
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
McMurdo Dry Valleys: safety protocols in a changing landscape. MCMLTER: Interdisciplinary project conducting field experiments and monitoring in diverse environments. Glaciers monitoring Weather stations on glaciers Stream gauge stations Lake monitoring sites (limno holes) Soil experiments. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Citation preview
McMurdo Dry Valleys: safety protocols in a changing landscape
MCMLTER: Interdisciplinary project conducting field experiments and monitoring in diverse environments • Glaciers monitoring
• Weather stations on glaciers
• Stream gauge stations• Lake monitoring sites
(limno holes)• Soil experiments
Walking across ice on Lake Bonney
Onyx River: Longest environmental record in the Dry ValleysHigh flows have occurred three times in last decade
Onyx River at Vanda, 700 cubic ft per sec
Onyx River at Lower Wright
MCMLTER: Safety issues related to changing connectivity across the landscape
Changes in risk at transitions in crossing the lake moats and lake ice to access sites
• Risk of drowning • Risk of hypothermia
from cold water emersion
• Risk of injury from falling (cuts, bruises, strains, sprains, etc.)
Falling through moat ice at Lake Bonney
Breaking through ice on melt pools on lake ice
MCMLTER: Safety issues related to changing landscape connectivity
Changes in risk at transitions in crossing the lake moats and lake ice to access sites
• Travel by foot or by ATV• Field camps to lake sites• Field camps to stream
sites across lake• Field camps to soil sites
across lake
Moat crossing at Lake Bonney
Fragile ice at ice edge
Protocols for unpredictable lake and moat conditions
Lake ice travel by foot-general
• Wear PFD in moat area and on lake ice
• Do not wear backpacks• Work in pairs in moat area
or in crossing lake ice• Cross moat with spotter on
shore• Store extra clothes in dry
sacks in packs, Polar Haven and gauge boxes
• Learn self-rescue methods
Limno team on lake ice
Protocols for unpredictable lake and moat conditions
Stream Team and Wormherders: Lake ice travel by foot with boat crossing
• Travel by helo if depth at ice-edge greater than 5 ft
• Do not wear hip waders• Learn self-rescue methods
Limno team member wearing PFD
Moat crossing at Lake Bonney
MCMLTER Infrastructure to address safety issues: Current approach
• Reporting through team members and Lake Hoare camp manager
• PFDs at camps
Ice dock for moat crossing at Lake Bonney
MCMLTER Infrastructure to address safety issues: Potential future approaches
• Reporting through team members and Lake Hoare camp manager
• PFDs at camps• Ladders and other
safety items at camps• Stable boat or pier with
rope and pulley system to lake ice at camps
• Flotation rescue devicesIce dock for moat crossing at Lake Bonney
Protocols for unpredictable lake and moat conditions
Lake ice travel by ATV-general
• Wear PFD in moat area and on lake ice
• Do not wear backpacks• Work in pairs on lake ice• Drive slowly, assess ice
conditions each time• Return ATV on first Monday
of January• Report concern for ATV
position to Lake Hoare camp manager
ATV on rough ice at Lake Bonney
Conditions vary among valleys and lakes• Communicate about
moat and ice conditions through team members and camp manager
Rough ice at Lake Miers
Environmental protection and history:Few injuries and several close calls on moat ice
Attention and diligence by all team members can prevent tragic outcomes!
Limno team members wearing PFD