The clear acidity signature of the Icelandic Laki eruption in 1783 AD.

Laki, Tambora, and a wind sledge that missed a great party

Saturday the science trench processed ice from the top part of the deep core and the historical volcanoes of Tambora (1815 Indonesia) and Laki (1783 Iceland) were clearly detected as significant acidity spikes in the ice core at the expected depths. Good to know that history has not changed. All other programs had good progress although speed is somewhat lowered over the weekend.

Sunday morning the borehole was logged. Saturday night there was an extended program: Sushi for starters (Fumio and Wataru), impressive aerial dance live in main dome (Valerie), pulled beef for main dish and ice-core ice cream for dessert (Dorthe, Henrik and Nikolas), Swing dance class and practice (Nicolas and Valerie), and general party. What a treat. We are currently expecting the arrival of a wind sledge (pulled by a kite) that has crossed the ice sheet from Kanger over the last month or so. Saturday noon there was good wind, so the 5 person sledge crew announced their arrival for Saturday night. Later the wind ceased, however, and the sledge got stuck 40 km from camp. We are now expecting the wind sledge to arrive tomorrow, Monday.

What we did today:

1. Deep drilling core length: Saturday:  12.82 m. Sunday borehole logging.
2. Logging depth: Saturday 423.25 m. Sunday: no new core
3. Processing depth: Saturday: 33.55-56.65 m. Sunday: 63.25 m
4. Water isotopes: Saturday calibration. Sunday: 272.80 m
5. Firn gas sampling depth: Saturday: 25 m. Sunday: 40 m
6. Working on tightening of RADIX casing leak
7. Water vapour, methane, aerosols, snow and boundary layer measurements
8. Lift to trench opened for access to ice core storage
9. Chinese pit study

Weather: Saturday: mostly blue sky with a few high clouds. Temp. -10 °C to -18 °C. During the day wind 10-14 kt starting S turning W. In the evening 2-4 kt.
Sunday ground fog / low clouds and light snow fall. Temp. -8 °C to -18 °C. During the day wind 4-8 kt starting W turning N. In the evening 0-4 kt.

FL, Anders Svensson

Means of transportation at EGRIP are diverse. Chris passing by main dome.