The Antarctic and Southern Ocean

The advent of the IGY and the signing of the Antarctic Treaty meant the end, or the deferment, of territorial claims in Antarctica and the further improvement in meteorological networks. The map of IGY bases (fig 32) shows the 55 locations in Antarctica or on island bases poleward of about 40° S from which meteorological observations were made for the whole or part of the IGY This was enough for a reasonably comprehensive picture of synoptic analysis in the region although there were still large gaps in parts of the Southern Ocean. Some two or three decades later these gaps were to be filled to some extent by observations from meteorological satellites and drifting buoys.

It will be seen that Australia had made a considerable contribution to the IGY. Unable to maintain the base at Heard Island when faced with the requirement to establish bases on the Antarctic continent, ANARE expeditioners built and occupied bases at Mawson and Davis and continued to operate the base at Macquarie Island. Australia also took over the responsibility of operating the base established by the US at Wilkes.

Tim Bowden in The silence calling (1997) has produced a most readable account of Australian participation in Antarctic exploration which mentions Alan Martin, Aub Gotley, Andy Garriock, Frank Hannan, Peter Shaw, Harry Alderdice, Ron Chadder, Jim McCarthy, Neil Streten, Peter Liiv, Shorty Carrol and Bob Dingle. The full story of the exploits of Bureau staff at these bases is yet to be written and requires far more research than I can accomplish. It is hoped that it will be told in some detail at some later time.

Bureau of Meteorology