Plume Incoming and a landmark dive.

Every year the dive season starts as soon as we can get here after winter, until a large plankton bloom gets swept under the ice and the visibility drops to the point where we have to stop diving. This always happens around Dec. 10 - but this year it came early.

We thankfully got a brief reprieve from the plankton but the visibility dropped from 100s of feet to much less than that overnight (like the photo above - still good vis but not AMAZING). This does impact our diving and each day we evaluate the situation to make sure we can continue to work.

In some ways it is actually kinda nice - more green hues instead of blue. But it is more ominous than anything else. Always the way things change are a surprise and we did not expect this.

Still - there is soo much pretty stuff to see underwater. Even when it is green instead of blue. For example this Dragon Fish - just hanging out on the ice on the seafloor.

While the point of this dive was Science (as always) it also happened to be Steve Rupp's (dive supervisor) 1500th dive under the ice. All in the name of supporting science for decades.

Thanks Steve! Looking forward to more in the future!

Sharing the science with the North

While with limited internet, our priority as scientists is not only to gather knowledge but share it with the world for our science to lead to action and conservation. From the most curious 10 year olds to international policy fellows, our team hosts Ice to Shore connections where we connect live from Antarctica to share the newest discoveries with everyone!

From its unique political landscape where 58 countries came together to declare Antarctica a place for only peace and science, to a continent where its surrounding oceanic current connects with all of the world's oceans: Even in the most remote place in the world, Antarctica unites us all.

Are you and your group interested in learning about our science live from Antarctica? Contact us to collaborate in the future!

Polar Pride on the Antarctic Side

This week we celebrated Polar Pride. A time of visibility and support for the LGBTQIA+ community that work in some of the most remote places in the world.

Started in 2020 by the collaboration of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), the Foreign, Commonwelath & Development Office (FCDO) and LBGTQ+ staff networks, November 18th marks the International Day of LGBTQIA+ people in STEM.

In a place of physical and social isolation, the last thing we want is for people to feel isolated for who they are. In Antarctica and polar research, we welcome people from all walks of life regardless of their identity. There is a place for everyone and this week brings visibility and awareness that this community reaches all corners of the globe.

To celebrate, I had members of the McMurdo community sign a pride flag throughout the week so I could take it diving and bring my community with me in a unique way. I myself was moved by the support and community I felt this week, making me feel not only seen, but welcomed in such an objectively harsh environment of cold temperatures and strong winds.

Even after a quick month here, the strong bonds between the people of McMurdo has been felt. Uplifting each other and creating space for everyone to be exactly who they want to be. Remember there's no right way to be queer, and you are perfect the way you are. Happy Polar Pride.