McMurdo Station, Antarctica – An Xperience Interview

McMurdo Station, Antarctica – An Xperience Interview – by Liam Sweeny.

We interviewed Joe Pettit, Program Manager, EarthScope Polar Operations at McMurdo Station in Antarctica.

RRX: Extremely important work goes on in Antarctica. I could write several interview questions just about that. But people are working there, and the saying “all work and no play …” Let me start by asking about free time. From a (let’s say) average perspective, do scientists in Antarctic stations have free time, or is it too busy for free time? Is free time generally steady, or is it sporadic?

JP: The typical Antarctic field season occurs during the austral summer – a period bounded on either end by notoriously unsettled weather. The window of opportunity for achieving fieldwork goals is a short four months and is often hampered by blizzards, equipment failures, etc. So quite often, science field teams are driven by an ever-dwindling window in which to fit their entire planned field effort. Most scientists in Antarctica work very long hours, often seven days a week. That said, not valuing downtime can be counterproductive and most teams recognize this. So, while the work at hand can involve long hours over the course of days and weeks, rest and recreation are also kept on the radar. The Antarctic summer provides a continuous 24-hour sweep of sunlight; nighttime doesn’t interrupt the sun’s flight across the sky. This availability of daylight, even at midnight, means that one can safely hike outdoors any time an opportunity becomes available. People take advantage of this as best they can, often going hiking or skiing into the early morning hours. Recreation and downtime are neither forgotten nor deprioritized. So while the work can be grueling and lengthy, scientists and other Antarctic staff are careful to build in time for relaxation and recovery, while living with the fact that it can be sporadic and often unpredictable.

RRX: Assuming that scientists and workers have free time, do they engage in anything that would be considered group entertainment? Is there anything close to a movie theater? Do any of the scientists and staff play music? Better yet, are there any ad hoc “bands?”

JP: There are a great number of recreational outlets available to those who work and live in Antarctica. The research stations are generally stocked with musical instruments, skis, and even mountain bikes. There are arts and crafts centers, book libraries, video libraries, workout rooms, and gymnasiums. And the depth of musical talent in Antarctica is sometimes astonishing. McMurdo Station has held an annual Icestock event, featuring a day-long lineup of revolving bands and entertainment. Holidays also provide great opportunities at the research stations and in the field camps for people to come together and reflect on the community of friends they have made during the most challenging times.

RRX: Any group of people in the same place develop a culture of sorts. Buzzwords that everybody says, favorite genres of film, music, etc. What’s one cool thing that you would consider to be “Antarctic Research culture?”

JP: A delightful part of working in Antarctica is the long history of Antarctic phrases and slang. Words like “skua” (informal system of rehoming of clothing, food, and household items), “freshies” (fruits and vegetables), “Herbies” (powerful storms that rip through the McMurdo Station area), “MacTown” (informal for ‘McMurdo’), “bag drag” (the act of physically hauling your ridiculously heavy luggage up to the passenger terminal), and “The Ice” (one of best terms of endearment _ever_ for Antarctica).  And then there are sayings like, “Is that weird, or just Antarctic weird?” “If you see a plane, get on it!” and “Way off the flagged route” (risky or nonsensical behavior).

RRX: With everything that goes on in Antarctic research stations, what are the creature comforts? Is the food good? Is the shower pressure wonderful? How much from home are people allowed to bring to the stations, like comfy blankets, stuff like that? How are researchers able to make the place like a home for the time they’re there?

JP: Life in an Antarctic research station is a simple one, and that’s not a bad thing. The din of the outside world grows louder by the day, and Antarctica impresses a degree of quiet and predictability into the days there. Station life is comfortable, and while you may have multiple roommates, buildings are warm and the showers are hot. Food is central to everyone’s mood in Antarctica, and the central dining areas provide a great venue for meeting new and interesting people. As one moves further afield, creature comforts become more spare. Science that takes place in the deep field, hundreds of miles or more from a fully staffed research station, often happens out of tents, placed directly on the frozen rock or snow. Friendships forged in Antarctica often last a lifetime. There is an invisible bond that connects everyone living in Antarctica. There is an extraordinary sense of kinship that reaches across the vast expanses of ice and snow, and that bond runs deep.

RRX: Obviously, things are being researched in Antarctica that can’t be mentioned here, nor do we want them mentioned here. But some things you are researching you probably want people to know. What’s one very cool, non-classified thing you’re researching?

JP: Believe it or not, there is no classified research being funded in Antarctica. This is all hardcore science – cutting-edge polar research that has implications for interconnected processes across the globe. And scientists LOVE to talk about their work. The U.S. National Science Foundation and other agencies funding polar research strongly value open and freely accessible datasets that are available to anyone who has an interest in viewing them. Climate research is one of the most fascinating, relevant, and dynamic areas of impactful science that I have been able to contribute to. It has been deeply rewarding to me to have been given even a small window into the incredible work researchers are doing in this tremendously relevant area of research.

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