22 Dec 2020

Antarctic sea ice measured for the first time

From Afternoons, 1:47 pm on 22 December 2020

A major milestone's been struck for New Zealand researchers in Antarctica. They have managed to measure, for the first time, the thickness of the sea ice in Antarctica's Western Ross Sea. Lead researcher, University of Canterbury Glaciologist, Wolfgang Rack, explains the significance of the break through.

The ice thickness was measured using a Basler BT-67 (a modified DC-3) plane towing a piece of equipment called an EM Bird underneath.

The ice thickness was measured using a Basler BT-67 (a modified DC-3) plane towing a piece of equipment called an EM Bird underneath. Photo: Supplied