Operation Deep Freeze 60 1959-1960 : oceanographic survey results.

Cover title.

"June 1961."

“DEEP FREEZE 60 was the sixth consecutive United States expedition in support of Antarctic research. Personnel from the U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office, supported by the National Science Foundation, conducted marine geophysical research from several icebreakers of TASK FORCE 43. In addition to oceanographic studies in the Ross Sea, Amundsen-Bellingshausen Seas, and South Pacific Ocean, stations were occupied along the Thurston Peninsula during the first successful penetration into the previously unexplored Bellingshausen Sea. The analyses and tabulation of data collected are presented in this report.” -- Foreword by E.C. Stephan, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy, Hydrographer.

I. INTRODUCTION -- A. Purpose -- B. Summary of operations -- C. Methods -- D. Participating personnel -- E. Other DEEP FREEZE publications -- II. ROSS SEA - MCMURDO SOUND AREA, OCEANOGRAPHY -- A. General -- B. Physical properties -- 1. Eastern Balleny Basin -- a. Temperature -- b. Salinity -- c. Density -- d. Oxygen -- 2. McMurdo Sound -- a. Temperature -- b. Salinity -- c. Density -- 3. Western Ross Sea -- 4. Ross Ice Shelf -- III. BELLINGSHAUSEN SEA, OCEANOGRAPHY -- A. General -- B. Physical properties -- 1. Temperature -- 2. Salinity -- 3. Density -- IV. BRANSFIELD STRAIT - DRAKE PASSAGE, OCEANOGRAPHY -- A. General -- B. Physical properties -- 1. Bransfield Strait -- a. Temperature -- b. Salinity -- c. Density -- d. Oxygen -- 2. Drake Passage -- a. Temperature -- b. Salinity -- c. Density -- V. ANTARCTIC CONVERGENCE -- A. General -- B. Bathythermograph crossing (°F) -- C. Oceanographic Station sections -- D. Continuous surface temperature record -- VI. ICE CONDITIONS -- A. General -- B. Geographic area -- 1. Ross Sea Area -- 2. Amundsen-Bellingshausen Seas Area -- 3. Palmer Peninsula Area -- VII. BOTTOM SEDIMENTS -- A. General -- B. Areal description -- 1. Ross Sea Area -- a. McMurdo Sound -- b. Southwestern Ross Sea -- c. Southeastern Ross Sea -- d. Northwestern Ross Sea -- 2. Thurston Peninsula Area -- 3. Peter I Island Area -- 4. Adelaide Island Area -- 5. Rock samples -- VIII. MISCELLANEOUS -- A. Transparency and water color -- B. Gravity observations -- APPENDICES -- A. Oceanographic Station data -- B. Sediment analysis summary sheets.

Results of oceanographic research during the U.S. Navy operations in support of DEEP FREEZE 60, 1959-1960, are presented. Observations in areas of the Antarctic, Antarctic Convergence, and South Pacific were made from abroad four icebreakers, USS BURTON ISLAND (AGB-1) USS ATKA (AGB-3), USS GLACIER (AGB-4), and USCGC EASTWIND (WAGB-279). Ships’ tracks to, in, and from the Antarctic and locations of all oceanographic stations are given. In Eastern Balleny Basin, surface temperatures ranged from -0.44° to -1.58°C. Within the surface layer, temperature decreased to a depth of about 100 meters and then increased to a maximum of greater than 1.25°C, indicating the upper level of the Antarctic Circumpolar Water. Surface salinities were low (less than 34.00%), reflecting Antarctic summer conditions. Values increased rapidly to 34.50% in the upper 200 meters with salinity maxima occurring between 600 and 1,200 meters depth. A west-east line of stations taken in McMurdo Sound is discussed. An extremely low temperature structure was noted, with temperatures from surface to bottom not exceeding 0.00°C throughout the water column. The effects of ice in the area were evident by low surface temperatures and salinities. Below the surface layer, temperatures decreased gradually to values as low as -1.93°C near the bottom of the deeper stations. Near the Ross Ice Shelf, several stations were taken along a northwest to southeast track to the shelf and the other, along a track closely paralleling the shelf edge. Throughout the areas temperatures were less than 0°C, the degree of coldness indicating distance from the Ice Shelf. Surface values ranged from -0.40°C at about 60 miles from the Shelf, to -1.42°C at its edge. Salinities varied little, increasing slightly from surface to bottom (maximum differences not exceeding 00.35%). Oceanographic observations were made for the first time in the Bellingshausen Sea off the Eights Coast. Observed surface temperatures were low (from -1.50° to -1.75°C) and showed no indication of summer warming. Below the 150-meter depth, temperatures increased rapidly to 1.00°C at 450 meters. Salinities increased with depth from a surface minimum of 32.95% to values greater than 34.50% below 350 meters. Several transits across the Antarctic Convergence were made and the results from surface and subsurface measurements delineate the positions of the Convergence, as well as the water dissimilarities. Ice observations and reconnaissance by the ships are discussed and presented. Forty-eight bottom samples were collected and analyzed. These are discussed by area, and detail results of the analyses are presented in Appendix B.

GRETA POINT: 551.46.07(269) OPE