The photo’s below illustrate some of the changes that occur in Antarctica through the summer / winter months. The climate change between the coldest and warmest months in Antarctica can change the landscape / seascape quite vastly in some regions.
Antarctica Contrast Quite Vast
The top photo was taken at Casey in late January when the supply ship was anchored in Newcomb Bay. The bottom photo was taken in late June and is also of Newcomb Bay but from a slightly different angle, in the background is Clark Peninsula. The Bay and most of the surrounding sea freezes over in the winter, at times for as far as the eye can see. Known as “Fast Ice”, this refers to a solid sheet of sea ice attached (fastened) to shore, either to land ice or to land.
At times severe winds and blizzards blowing up to 200kph, can dislodge and break up the fast ice around the coast of Casey and other coastal areas. The dislodged broken ice sheets float out to sea and forms pack ice, which is a region or belt of ice. It is defined as a large area of floating, more or less closely packed sea ice. The belt of ice encircles Antarctica, and between this belt and the continent, there is often open water. It is seasonal and reaches its greatest extent in winter.
Casey Station Newcomb Bay in summer
Casey Station Newcomb Bay in winter
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