Situation Report #6, 25. December 2019
Little Dome C - Beyond EPICA Drilling Site (75.29917 degS, 122.44516 degE)
Jakob and Remo attaching an extension tube on the Radix firn drill. (Credit T. Stocker)
Personnel: Saverio Panichi (ENEA), Michele Scalet (ENEA), Luc Piard (CNRS), Jakob Schwander (unibe), Thomas Stocker (unibe), Remo Walther (unibe), Massimo Frezzotti (U Roma 3), Riccardo Devescovi (Armi)
Weather at 8 am: sunny
Today we installed an extension tube on the Radix firn drill providing extra direction and weight. Good progress has been made with the drilling, and we have reached a depth of 98 m. This is approaching the target depth for the installation of the casing. As the density of the firn slowly increases, drilling conditions become more challenging and require extra care by the driller.
Luc, Massimo, Michele and Riccardo worked on the construction of the drilling tent. The BELDC drill tent takes shape as the first four arches supporting the tent were erected after some discussion of how to safely approach this difficult task. We have now a method that permits assembling and fixing one arch in just under one hour.
Evidently, at Little Dome C, 25. December 2019 has been a hard working day for all of us.
TS, 25.12.2019
Panoramic view of the BELDC drilling tent under construction. Camp and Radix working tent are in the background. (Credit T. Stocker)