Welcome 2015! I hope the New Year has met you all well. Here at the South Pole, each January 1st the geographic South Pole marker is replaced and moved 33.06 feet. The reason for the move is because the ice sheet is flowing and the marker moves synchronously with the ice! Therefore, at the start of each year, surveyors map out 33.06 feet and place the new geographic marker back at the true geographic South Pole. The design of the new marker is voted upon during the previous winter (March-Oct) and the winter-over machinist creates it! Thus, 2015’s marker was designed during the winter months of 2014. It is a great tradition and this year’s marker is quite beautiful! During the unveiling ceremony, everyone at the station formed a half-circle around the old marker and the new marker and passed the American flag around to its new location 33.06 feet away next to the new geographic South Pole maker. Having the opportunity to participate in this event was quite moving and makes me extremely thankful for the chance to be doing science at the South Pole!
Until next time,
Mindy
Until next time,
Mindy