I thought I’d take the opportunity afforded by having to stay up all night to fill you in on the local geography. The image above, assuming it is readable on your screen, is a landsat image of the local region. The inset of Antarctica shows the approximate location of the landsat image. McMurdo Station sits on the end of a southward-pointing peninsula of Ross Island.
Ross Island comprises three volcanoes, namely Mt. Erebus (3794 m), which is still active, Mt. Terror (3230 m), and Mt. Bird. Ross Island served as the base for many of the early Antarctic expeditions, as it is the southernmost island that can be accessed by sea. Some of the huts built by the early expeditioners (Scott and Shackleton) still stand and are preserved as historical sites. McMurdo Station looks out across the sound toward the Royal Society Range.
I have a fantastic view to the south out of my lab/office window, from which I can see Black Island, White Island, Mt. Discovery, Mt. Warning, and up toward the Scott Coast. The view changes daily. Sometimes it’s so clear that I can see beyond Mt. Discovery and Mt. Morning. There have been other times, however, when blowing snow makes it difficult to see anything beyond the shoreline, which is located about 400 m from my window. The photo above doesn't do the scene justice, but gives a general idea of the view on a clear day. Just try to look beyond the buildings in the foreground.
