Hubbry Logo
Dome FDome FMain
Open search
Dome F
Community hub
Dome F
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Dome F
Dome F
from Wikipedia

Key Information

Dome Fuji Skiway
Summary
Airport typePrivate
LocationQueen Maud Land
Elevation AMSL12,354 ft / 3,765 m
Coordinates77°19′00″S 39°42′00″E / 77.316667°S 39.700000°E / -77.316667; 39.700000
Map
Dome Fuji Skiway is located in Antarctica
Dome Fuji Skiway
Dome Fuji Skiway
Location of airfield in Antarctica
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
3,937 1,200 Ice
Japanese stations in Antarctica

Dome Fuji (ドームふじ Dōmu Fuji), also called Dome F or Valkyrie Dome, is an Antarctic base located in the eastern part of Queen Maud Land. With an altitude of 3,810 metres (12,500 ft) above sea level, it is the second-highest summit or ice dome of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet and represents an ice divide. Dome F is the site of Dome Fuji Station, a research station operated by Japan.

Discovery and naming

[edit]

Dome Fuji is an ice dome rising to about 3,700 metres (12,100 ft) in the eastern part of Queen Maud Land. It is the highest elevation in Queen Maud Land and also the highest elevation within the claims of Norway. In 1963–1964, a land based Soviet Antarctic Expedition team travelled across the northern part of the dome at an elevation of over 3,600 metres (11,800 ft).[1]

Environment

[edit]

Owing to its location on the Antarctic Plateau and the high elevation, Dome Fuji is one of the coldest places on Earth. Temperatures rarely rise above −30 °C (−20 °F) in summer and can drop to −80 °C (−110 °F) in winter. The annual average air temperature is −54.3 °C (−65.7 °F). The climate is that of a cold desert, with very dry conditions and an annual precipitation of about 25 millimetres (1 in) of water equivalent, which falls entirely as ice crystals.[2]

Dome Fuji Station

[edit]

Dome Fuji Station (ドームふじ基地 Dōmu Fuji Kichi) was established as Dome Fuji Observation Base (ドームふじ観測拠点 Dōmu Fuji Kansoku Kyoten) in January 1995. Its name was changed to "Dome Fuji Station" on April 1, 2004. Located at 77°19′S 39°42′E / 77.317°S 39.700°E / -77.317; 39.700, it is separated from Showa Station by about 1,000 kilometres (620 mi).

Glaciology

[edit]

Deep ice core drilling at Valkyrie Dome was started in August 1995, and in December 1996 a depth of 2,503 metres (8,212 ft) was reached. This first core covers a period back to 340,000 years.[3][4]

The core quality from the Dome Fuji Station is excellent, even in the brittle zone from 500 to 860 metres (1,640 to 2,820 ft) deep, where the ice is fragile during the in situ core-cutting procedure.[5]

A second deep core was started in 2003. Drilling was carried out during four subsequent austral summers from 2003–2004 until 2006–2007, and by then a depth of 3,035.22 metres (9,958.1 ft) was reached. The drill did not hit the bedrock, but rock particles and refrozen water have been found in the deepest ice, indicating that the bedrock is very close to the bottom of the borehole. This core greatly extends the climatic record of the first core, and according to a first, preliminary dating, it reaches back 720,000 years.[6] The ice of the second Valkyrie Dome core is therefore the second-oldest ice ever recovered, outranged only by the EPICA Dome C core.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Dome F, also known as Dome Fuji or Dome, is an ice dome and the second-highest summit on the East , rising to an elevation of 3,810 meters above sea level in the eastern part of at coordinates 77°19′S, 39°42′E. This remote inland site, approximately 1,000 kilometers south of Japan's Syowa Station, features an ice divide with low annual snow accumulation and serves as a key location for polar research due to its stable, extremely cold environment. The dome's surface consists of ancient ice layers extending over 3,000 meters deep, preserving a continuous climatic record spanning more than 720,000 years. Dome Fuji Station was established in 1995 by the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE) as a summer-only research outpost. The station was temporarily closed after the 2019 season, though unmanned facilities continue to support ongoing research, with recent plans including deployment of a radio telescope in 2025. The site's harsh climate, characterized by an annual mean air temperature of −54.3°C and a recorded minimum of −79.7°C, along with low wind speeds and atmospheric pressure averaging 598.4 hPa, underscores its isolation and logistical challenges. Named after "Fuji Toge" in reference to a 1968 traverse, the site has hosted multiple JARE expeditions, culminating in the completion of a deep ice core drilling project in 2007 that reached 3,035 meters. Dome F's scientific significance lies in its dual role as a glaciological and an astronomical site, offering unparalleled conditions for studying past environments and celestial phenomena. cores extracted here provide detailed proxies for atmospheric composition, temperature variations, and concentrations over hundreds of thousands of years, contributing to global models. Recent initiatives include plans for a new deep at a nearby site to access over 1.5 million years old. For astronomy, the site's thin , minimal , and low emission enable superior seeing and transparency from to sub-millimeter wavelengths, outperforming mid-latitude observatories and rivaling sites like the for deep-sky surveys, studies, and evolution research. Ongoing initiatives, such as the PLATO-F robotic deployed in 2011, support automated year-round observations, highlighting Dome F's potential for future large-scale telescopes.

Location and Physical Features

Coordinates and Topography

Dome F, also known as Dome Fuji, is situated at precise coordinates of 77°19′01″ S, 39°42′12″ E on the Antarctic plateau. This location places it approximately 1,000 km inland from the nearest coast in Queen Maud Land, East Antarctica, and further interior to the Sør Rondane Mountains, which lie about 200 km from the shoreline. The site rests on the vast East Antarctic Ice Sheet, contributing to its remote and elevated position amid a continental-scale ice expanse. At an elevation of 3,810 meters (12,500 ft) above sea level, Dome F ranks as the second-highest ice dome in , surpassed only by at 4,093 meters. The topography features a prominent, relatively sharp-peaked ice dome with gentle slopes extending outward, forming a broad summit region that spans roughly 100 km in diameter around the central drill site. Ice thickness at the summit reaches up to 3,028 meters, with subglacial terrain revealing complex mountainous features, including plateaus, valleys, and basins beneath. The annual surface accumulation rate is low, averaging about 24 mm water equivalent per year, reflecting the site's arid, high-altitude conditions.

Glaciological Setting

Dome F, located at an elevation of approximately 3,810 m above , serves as a prominent divide on the , where ice flows radially outward from the site in all directions. This configuration results in exceptionally low horizontal ice-flow velocities, typically less than 2 m per year and approaching 1 m per year in optimal areas, which significantly reduces shear deformation and thinning of deeper ice layers. Such minimal flow rates contribute to the preservation of ancient ice records by limiting the disturbance to stratigraphic layers accumulated over millennia. The subglacial geology beneath Dome F reveals a complex landscape shaped by tectonic processes, featuring a network of deep valleys and elevated highlands as mapped through extensive ground-based surveys spanning over 30 years. Bedrock elevations vary widely, ranging from approximately 265 m below in certain depressions to over 1,600 m above on surrounding plateaus, with ice thicknesses averaging around 2,670 m but reaching up to 3,400 m in valley regions. data indicate the presence of potential subglacial lakes and sediment-filled basins, particularly west and of the main dome, where hydraulic connectivity suggests water accumulation in topographic lows without widespread drainage issues. The maximum ice thickness at Dome F exceeds 3,000 m, with measurements up to 3,035 m recorded near the drill site, providing substantial depth for accessing paleoclimate archives. In nearby candidate sites within the region, this thickness, combined with low accumulation rates and cold basal temperatures, enables the potential recovery of ice layers dating back up to 1.5 million years, far surpassing the 720,000-year record from existing cores. Flow line analyses, integrating radar-detected internal isochrones with one-dimensional ice flow models, confirm that Dome F aligns with upstream trajectories from the inland , where originates from high-elevation source regions with stable accumulation. This positioning minimizes lateral mixing and vertical compression of deep layers, as evidenced by the continuity of dated horizons (from 31 ka to 169 ka) and the presence of stagnant basal up to 200 m thick in select profiles, further enhancing the integrity of old ice preservation.

History and Exploration

Discovery

Dome F, also known as Dome, was first detected during an oversnow traverse by the (SovAE) in 1963–1964, when the team crossed the northern part of the feature at elevations exceeding 3,600 meters above . This initial identification highlighted a prominent high-elevation dome in the East within . Dome is an alternative name for Dome F, though some sources list slightly varying coordinates. The site's characteristics were further confirmed and delineated during the SPRI-NSF-TUD airborne radio echo-sounding program from 1967 to 1979, a collaborative effort involving the (SPRI), the U.S. (NSF), and the (TUD). This program used radio echo-sounding to profile the ice surface and internal structure, revealing the dome's prominence at approximately 3,810 meters above . Japanese involvement began with overland traverses from Syowa Station during the 7th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE-7) in 1966–1968, which contributed to regional mapping efforts in . In 1968, a JARE team traversed Fuji Pass near the dome, inspiring its later naming as Dome Fuji. The first direct surface traverse to the Dome F summit occurred during JARE-26 in 1985–1986, when the team reached the site and formally designated it Dome Fuji, recognizing its potential for scientific research due to its isolated, high-altitude position.

Naming and Early Expeditions

Dome F was designated "Dome Fuji" by the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE), drawing its name from the nearby Fuji Toge pass, which was traversed during a 1968 expedition led by Masayoshi Murayama. This nomenclature was tentatively applied by JARE-26 during their fieldwork, while internationally it is referred to as Dome F or Valkyrie Dome, the latter from earlier Norwegian surveys. The first Japanese traverse to reach the summit of Dome Fuji occurred during JARE-26 in November-December 1985, as part of the broader Glaciological Research Program (1982-1987) aimed at studying the East Antarctic ice sheet. This expedition crossed the Fuji Divide, previously noted in JARE-9 (1968-1969), and conducted initial glaciological observations at the site. Subsequent traverses in the late 1980s and 1990s, including those by JARE teams, focused on site testing to assess suitability for long-term research infrastructure. The selection of Dome Fuji for deep ice coring was motivated by its low annual snow accumulation rate of approximately 3.2 cm water equivalent (based on 1966-1985 ) and stable ice flow, characterized by minimal upstream movement over a large subglacial basin, which preserves undisturbed paleoclimate records. These attributes were identified through early surveys, including profiling and accumulation measurements during the 1980s expeditions. Key figures in the initial site evaluations included Japanese glaciologists from the JARE teams who contributed to assessments of surface and ice sheet dynamics in the Dome Fuji region during the preparatory phases leading to the 1990s coring projects.

Environmental Conditions

Dome F, located on the East , experiences one of the harshest climates on , characterized by extreme cold and minimal . The mean annual temperature is -54.3°C, with surface air temperatures rarely exceeding -30°C even during the austral summer months of December to . The lowest recorded temperature at the Dome Fuji Station was -82.1°C, observed in July 2024. Precipitation at Dome F is extremely low, classifying it as a , with an annual accumulation of approximately 27 mm water equivalent. This sparse snowfall primarily occurs in the form of —fine ice crystals suspended in clear skies—and hoar frost, which forms through deposition on the snow surface; synoptic snowfall events account for 60% of the total , while contributes 40%. Observations indicate that occurs on roughly 60% of precipitation days. Wind patterns at Dome F are influenced by katabatic flows descending from the , resulting in consistent but moderate speeds. The annual mean is 5.9 m/s, with directions predominantly from the southeast, and gusts rarely exceeding 10 m/s due to the site's summit location, which minimizes channeling effects. Calm periods, often below 3 m/s, are frequent and particularly valuable for precise scientific measurements. Seasonal variations are pronounced, with the austral winter (May to August) featuring extended periods of twilight and complete lasting about two months, when the sun remains below the horizon, enhancing and driving the extreme low temperatures. In contrast, the brief summer brings 24-hour daylight, though temperatures remain well below freezing, with no observed. These cycles amplify the site's and thermal extremes.

Atmospheric Properties

Dome F, located on the , features a remarkably shallow and stable atmospheric , typically ranging from 10 to 30 meters in thickness during summer conditions, which minimizes and enhances optical stability above this layer. This thin arises from the extreme cold and dynamics, confining most turbulent activity near the surface and resulting in excellent seeing conditions in the free atmosphere, with values as low as 0.2 arcseconds. Measurements using differential image motion monitors at elevations just above the surface confirm that is largely isolated within this shallow layer, making Dome F particularly advantageous for ground-based observations requiring low atmospheric . The atmosphere at Dome F exhibits extremely low aerosol concentrations, contributing to its status as one of the cleanest air environments on , with minimal particulate matter from natural or anthropogenic sources. number concentrations in the 0.07–5.0 μm range remain notably low, often below typical continental levels, due to the site's remote inland position and limited transport from coastal regions. This purity, combined with minimal content, ensures high transparency, as precipitable (PWV) levels average around 0.6 mm in summer and can drop to as low as 0.05 mm in winter, far surpassing sites like (2.3 mm average PWV). Such conditions result in exceptional sky quality for and submillimeter wavelengths, with 220 GHz optical depths as low as 0.045, enabling >98% transparency during optimal periods. The Antarctic ozone hole significantly influences the upper atmosphere over Dome F, leading to a thin during austral spring and consequently high (UV) exposure at the surface. This depletion enhances UV radiation fluxes, with studies indicating robust increases in surface UV levels tied to ozone minima, posing challenges for biological and material exposures despite the site's of 3,810 meters above . Regarding cosmic rays, the high plateau results in reduced atmospheric shielding, but the overall low background interference from aerosols and supports sensitive detections in cosmic ray-related proxies, such as records.

Infrastructure

Dome Fuji Station

Dome Fuji Station was established in January 1995 by the 36th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE-36) as a summer research base to facilitate deep ice-core drilling operations at the summit of Dome F in . Located approximately 1,000 km inland from Syowa Station, the site was selected for its ideal glaciological conditions and elevation of 3,810 m above . The station's inaugural overwintering took place during the 1995-1996 season as part of the initial Deep Ice-Coring Project, with subsequent overwinterings, including a team of eight personnel during the 44th JARE in 2003-2004, supporting year-round meteorological, glaciological, and logistical activities. The station's core facilities consist of a modular complex built on the surface to withstand extreme conditions, including two living huts providing quarters for up to 10 personnel during overwintering periods, a dedicated equipped with laboratories for on-site , a dining , and a . Power generation relies on three 28 kVA diesel generators, capable of supporting 8-18 kW for station maintenance and 11-16 kW for , with a total fuel requirement of about 118 kl per season; later enhancements incorporated and solar supplements to reduce diesel dependency for auxiliary systems. A prominent feature is the rig, installed in a buried 22 m × 4 m × 4 m trench with a 10 m-high machine that can pivot from horizontal transport to vertical operation, enabling extractions up to 3,035 m deep. Additional infrastructure includes an emergency , and equipment storage trenches, and systems for , such as electrically heated toilets and bathrooms in the power station. Communication is maintained via HF radio (600 W output), VHF (150 MHz), and satellite links, while medical facilities provide basic care suited to remote operations. Daily operations accommodate larger summer teams for intensive fieldwork, with resupply conducted annually through over-snow vehicle traverses from coastal bases, transporting up to 263 tons of materials over the 1,000 km route in multi-week journeys. In the , the station underwent significant upgrades, including refinements to the drilling system during the second Deep Ice-Coring Project (2001-2007) to achieve greater depths and the development of automated astronomical observatories for unstaffed year-round monitoring of celestial phenomena. As of 2022, expansions feature portable, modular station units designed for easier assembly and transport, enhancing adaptability for future missions while minimizing environmental impact. Recent developments include the Third Dome Fuji Project, which established Dome Fuji II Camp in 2024 approximately 30 km southwest of the main station for new drilling to access ice older than 1.5 million years; an was installed there in January 2024 to support ongoing observations.

Logistics and Access

Access to Dome F, also known as Dome Fuji, is primarily achieved through overland traverses originating from Syowa Station, located approximately 1,000 km to the north. These traverses utilize specialized snowcats, such as the SM100 over-snow vehicles, and sled trains to transport personnel and supplies across the . The journey typically takes about 20 days one way, conducted annually during the austral summer to avoid the harshest winter conditions, with convoys departing from a coastal depot near Syowa known as S16. Air support to Dome F is limited due to the site's high of 3,810 meters, which poses risks such as for passengers and operational constraints for aircraft. Small ski-equipped planes, like the Turbo, have occasionally landed on prepared snow runways or nearby blue ice areas, but no regular flight operations exist, and direct flights from coastal stations are avoided for reasons. Supply rely on these annual overland convoys, which deliver approximately 200-300 tons of essential materials, including , , and scientific equipment, to sustain summer operations and limited overwintering activities at the station. International collaborations, such as those with the U.S. International Trans- Scientific Expedition (ITASE), have supported heavy-lift transports for specific projects, enhancing capacity beyond Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE) resources alone. Key challenges in reaching and sustaining Dome F include the extreme cold, with temperatures often below -50°C and reaching as low as -79.7°C, which can cause mechanical failures in vehicles and equipment due to fuel gelling and material brittleness. Route planning is critical to navigate the featureless , employing GPS for positioning and to detect and avoid hidden crevasses, ensuring safe passage for the convoys.

Scientific Research

Ice Core Studies

Ice core studies at Dome F have provided critical insights into paleoclimate through two major deep projects. The first deep , known as DF1, was drilled using an electro-mechanical system from 1993 to 1997, reaching a depth of 2503 meters and spanning approximately 340,000 years of ice accumulation. This core captured three full glacial-interglacial cycles, enabling initial reconstructions of past variability. The second , DF2, extended efforts from 2004 to 2007 with similar electro-mechanical techniques, achieving a depth of 3035 meters near bedrock and covering about 720,000 years, which includes evidence from eight glacial-interglacial transitions. Core processing at Dome F station involves meticulous extraction and analysis of trapped air bubbles, isotopes, and particulates directly on-site to minimize contamination. Samples are sectioned for measurements of oxygen isotopes (δ¹⁸O), which serve as proxies for past surface temperatures, revealing temperature fluctuations of up to 10°C between glacial and periods. Greenhouse gas concentrations, particularly CO₂, are quantified through wet and dry extraction methods, showing variations between 190 and 300 ppmv synchronized with glacial-interglacial cycles, with lower levels during cold phases linked to enhanced carbon storage. Particulate analyses, such as (¹⁰Be), provide records of solar activity, including a pronounced grand around 5480 BCE characterized by elevated cosmogenic production due to reduced solar modulation. These studies underscore Dome F's value for extending paleoclimate records, as the site's low ice accumulation rate and minimal flow divergence preserve ancient layers with . The DF2 core's depth approaches the estimated age of underlying ice, supporting potential retrieval of million-year-old records in nearby undisturbed areas, which could resolve long-term climate forcings beyond current datasets. Such findings have refined understandings of orbital influences on Earth's and highlighted Dome F's role in international research initiatives.

Astronomy and Geophysics

Dome F, located on the at an of 3,810 meters, serves as an exceptional site for astronomical observations due to its exceptionally dry atmosphere and minimal atmospheric turbulence. The low precipitable content, often below 0.3 mm during winter, enables high transparency in the and submillimeter wavelengths, making it ideal for studying faint celestial objects that are obscured by at other sites. Additionally, the site's thin , typically less than 20 meters thick, results in low turbulence above this level, providing seeing conditions comparable to or better than those at , with median values around 0.3 arcseconds during summer daytime measurements. These properties have positioned Dome F as a prime location for ground-based astronomy since initial site testing in the early . A 40 cm infrared telescope and a 30 cm terahertz telescope have been developed for deployment at Dome F to capitalize on these conditions, focusing on and terahertz regimes. Site testing with a tipping confirmed low opacity at 220 GHz, supporting plans for larger facilities, including a proposed 2 m-class telescope and a 10 m-class terahertz telescope for studies. astronomy campaigns in the , such as those under Japan's National Institute of Polar Research programs, have targeted atmospheres and early , benefiting from the site's low thermal background. The 30 cm submillimeter telescope is scheduled for transport to Dome Fuji II in 2026 to conduct Galactic plane surveys in CI and CO (J=4-3) lines. Although direct observations of galaxy clusters and constraints via CMB polarization remain aspirational for future large telescopes, current site testing contributes to understanding cosmic evolution through planned submillimeter mapping. In geophysics, Dome F has been a focal point for surveys probing subglacial features and the underlying continental crust. Airborne radar surveys, conducted during expeditions in 2014/15 and 2016/17, have mapped ice thickness exceeding 3 km and identified potential sites for ancient ice preservation older than 1.5 million years, revealing basal conditions like temperate ice patches. Recent aeromagnetic surveys in 2023-2024, covering over 170,000 km², delineated tectonic domains aligned with ancient supercontinents Rodinia and Gondwana, highlighting N-S oriented boundaries in magnetic anomalies. Seismic activity in the region is low, with isolated events recorded south of the site, but comprehensive seismic networks are limited; instead, integrated geophysical models combine radar and magnetic data to infer crustal structures without extensive dedicated seismic deployments. The site's advantages include over 300 clear nights annually during the extended polar winter, enabling uninterrupted observations with photometric stability exceeding 85%. International collaborations, led by Japan through the National Institute of Polar Research, involve partners from Australia (e.g., PLATO-F robotic observatory) and Europe, facilitating shared site testing and data analysis for both astronomical and geophysical endeavors.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.