Polarstern / CAML expedition: from Joinville Island to Larsen A
Moonlight on Larsen A
© G. Chapelle / IPF / Alfred Wegener Institut
Night of the 6th of January: end of a great day, with a remarkable last bottom trawl from the fish campaign, also yielding several big brittle stars with endless arms (starfish with tin and motile arms). We can finally set sail to Joinville Island and its surroundings islets, and enter the Antarctic Sound, the narrow stretch of water which separates the islands from the Peninsula.
Cape Petrels are still flying around the ship and we came across some Minke Whales while passing the Argentinian station of Esperanza. Around 5 o'clock in the morning, between icebergs and glaciers bathed in a magnificent light, we leave Rosamel and Paulet Island behind us. Time to go to bed.
Night of the 7th of January: we are getting close to our first study zone, the big bay created by the collapse of the Larsen A ice-shelf, one of the first Antarctic victims of human-induced climate changes. Light is even purer than the day before, featuring shades of pink and blue. While steaming south, fragmented sea ice makes a come-back. Its density is increasing every hour, and it becomes more and more difficult to distinguish between thick multi-year sea ice and small icebergs.
Unforgettable atmosphere on the bridge, where the Celtic voice of Loreena McKennit adds to the ambiance. Igor, the officer on shift, lauches our 100 meters vessel in a swift slalom, while enjoying the landscape like everyone. But around 3 o'clock in the morning, the ship briefly bounces between two small icebergs. This time it is too much, and after a second attempt under the rising moon, the captain decides to turn back, set sail to the open sea and try to reach our second and more important study zone: Larsen B.
