Gravity Base Stations in Antarctica

Abstract

Gravity base stations established in Antarctica during the austral summer of 1960-61 are presented and compared with previous results by various observers. The use of two geodetic gravity meters, viz. a LaCoste-Romberg and a Worden has increased the accuracy and resolved several discrepancies. Ties were made between Christchurch, New Zealand and the United States Antarctic Stations at McMurdo Sound, South Pole, Byrd, and Hallett, as well as satellite stations in West Antarctica and the New Zealand Scott Base at McMurdo ound. Station descriptions and observed gravity values are presented.

Gravity determinations at Vostok

“…However, the more recently adopted value for McMurdo A (Behrendt and others , 1962; Woollard and Rose, 1963), which has been used since 1961, is 982.9919 gal. Using LaCoste and Romberg gravimeter No 1 (LR1), he tied the chapel at McMurdo and the station at Mirny.…”

“…Using LaCoste and Romberg gravimeter No 1 (LR1), he tied the chapel at McMurdo and the station at Mirny. Although the numerical recalibration of the gravimeter is not given by Behrendt and Woollard (1961), a correction of -0.8 mgal can be determined by comparing the uncorrected measurements by Sparkman using LR1 at McMurdo, Hallett, Byrd and South Pole stations (Thiel and others, 1959) with the corrected values (Behrendt and others, 1962). However, the more recently adopted value for McMurdo A (Behrendt and others , 1962; Woollard and Rose, 1963), which has been used since 1961, is 982.9919 gal.…”

“…However, the more recently adopted value for McMurdo A (Behrendt and others , 1962; Woollard and Rose, 1963), which has been used since 1961, is 982.9919 gal. These ties are of general interest for gravimetric studies in Antarctica, because they provide a direct airborne link between the stations upon which two major gravitational networks (American and Soviet) are based.…”

“…These ties are of general interest for gravimetric studies in Antarctica, because they provide a direct airborne link between the stations upon which two major gravitational networks (American and Soviet) are based. Although the numerical recalibration of the gravimeter is not given by Behrendt and Woollard (1961), a correction of -0.8 mgal can be determined by comparing the uncorrected measurements by Sparkman using LR1 at McMurdo, Hallett, Byrd and South Pole stations (Thiel and others, 1959) with the corrected values (Behrendt and others, 1962). Using LaCoste and Romberg gravimeter No 1 (LR1), he tied the chapel at McMurdo and the station at Mirny.…”

Gravity Observations in the Koettlitz Glacier area, Southern Victoria Land, Antarctica

“…This survey is based on a value of 982'9883 gals at Scott Base Gravity Station 2 (Behrendt et al, 1962). This, in turn, is based on a value of 982'9919 gals for the pendulum station at Hut Point (Thiel et ai., 1959;Behrendt et al, 1962). Relative to Washington, the Scott Base value should be accurate to about 1 mgal Calibration of the Instrnment.…”