Table Of ContentANNALS OF THE
INTERNATIONAL GEOPHYSICAL YEAR
1957 1958
VOLUME IIB
T HE
I N T E R N A T I O N AL G E O P H Y S I C AL
Y E AR M E E T I N GS
Editor
M. NICOLET
(General Secretary of CSAGI)
International Council of Scientific Unions
Comité Spécial de Γ Année Géophysique Internationale
(CSAGI)
PERGAMON PRESS
London « New York · Paris · Los Angeles
Copyright
©
1959
PERGAMON PRES S LTD.
Library of Congress Card No. 57-59094
Printed in Great Britain by J. W. Arrowsmith Ltd., Bristol, England
V· The CSAGI Antarctic Conferences
I. FIRST CSAGI ANTARCTIC CONFERENCE
(Paris 6-10 July 1955)
1 General Report
1.1 First Plenary Session, Wednesday, 6 July
The delegates met in the Astrophysics Institute of the Paris Observatory by
courtesy of M. A. DANJON, Director.
M. G. LACLAVÈRE opened the session at 10.10.
M. A. DANJON, Director of the Paris Observatory, welcomed the delegates and
observers. Father LEJAY, President of the French IGY National Committee, in
his turn welcomed the delegates. He indicated France's appreciation of the honour
bestowed on her in choosing Paris as the site of the Antarctic Conference. He
emphasized the importance of the work of the Conference. M. LACLAVÈRE reviewed
the program of the Conference, whose essential end is the co-ordination of expedi-
tions. He then gave an outline of the organization of the work of the Conference.
Then followed the election of officers. Unanimously elected were :
President: M. G. LACLAVÈRE, Secretary General of the IUGG.
Vice-Presidents: Mr. J. A. DE TEZANOS PINTO, Ambassador of Argentina.
Dr. L. M. GOULD (United States).
Secretary: M. P. E. VICTOR (France).
The President informed the meeting that several countries had announced a
desire to be represented at the Conference, but had not been able to send a dele-
gation. This was the case of the Union of South Africa, Australia, New Zealand,
and Japan. The Japanese program for the Antarctic would be communicated by
cable. Australia and New Zealand announced that it was their intention to be
represented by members of the staff of their London and Paris Embassies.
The arrival of Prof. BELOUSSOV of the USSR was announced.
Before commencing with the agenda, the President emphasized the technical
character of the Conference. Financial and political questions were not the concern
of this Conference. Its object was to examine the technical problems which arose
from the expeditions that were being organized for the Antarctic on the occasion
of the International Geophysical Year. The Chairman of the Chilean delegation,
Ambassador J. ROSSETTI, supported this point of view, and presented the following
motion, which was seconded by the Argentine delegation and unanimously adopted :
"The Antarctic Conference entirely endorses M. Laclavère's statement of purposes
at the opening session, and specifically his affirmation that the over-all aims of the
Conference are exclusively scientific."
397
398 FIRST CSAGI ANTARCTIC CONFERENCE
The President then asked if there were any modifications of the agenda. No
member proposed either additions or modifications, and the agenda was then adopted
unanimously as follows:
1 Co-ordination of distribution of bases
The uncertainty as to which nation will occupy which of the bases not yet
assigned should be cleared up as quickly as possible. For example, if the British
intend to occupy the Vahsel Bay base, the Americans would probably be quite
content with this arrangement. In this event the U.S.A. might consider the occu-
pation of the fourth base on the Knox Coast near the Shackleton Ice Shelf. On the
other hand if the British do not expect to occupy the Vahsel Bay base, then the
U.S.A. might wish to occupy this base in preference to the Knox Coast, since it
would be better suited to the auxiliary support of a base in Marie Byrd Land.
2 Mutual logistic support
It is quite possible that one nation could support the field operations of another
by bringing in caches of fuel or supplies to ensure their availability for field opera-
tions.
3 Mutual support for overland operations
A number of nations are planning overland traverses to enhance the scientific
effort, and particularly to provide information on the geomorphology of the ice
and land structure of the continent. Such traverses can best be planned through
mutual collaboration to ensure the mutual support of bases of other nations, and
to provide for scientific information on all traverses that can mutually support
common scientific objectives.
4 Aids to navigation (aerial and terrestrial)
The problem of navigation both by field parties on the ground and in the air
is always serious in the Antarctic. With wide distribution of bases now planned,
it may be possible to conceive the operation of an improved navigation system
that would be available to the parties of all nations in support of their field operations.
5 Emergency procedures
The relatively dense occupation of the Antarctic should make possible certain
elements of mutual support in the event of an emergency. Plans for such emergency
support should be made in advance.
6 Meteorological network and radio transmissions
The network of stations will involve some twenty-five or thirty permanent bases,
augmented during the summer-time by as many as fifteen or twenty field operations.
In addition, a large number of whalers and whale chasers off the coast of Antarctica
could provide meteorological information during the season. It should be possible,
therefore, with co-operation among these bases and field operations, to establish
an Antarctic meteorological network involving prompt radio transmission of all
necessary meteorological data. Such a meteorological network would provide for
GENERAL REPORT 399
at least daily formation of weather maps, and forecasts that would be of inestimable
value to the Antarctic operations of all the nations concerned.
Moreover such forecasts would make possible a great extension of the air activities
in the Antarctic Continent, thus greatly enhancing the scientific results that could
be obtained. To establish such a network, immediate steps should be taken to
insure that each nation is equipped with appropriate meteorological and radio
equipment, and that suitable radio-frequency allocations are made to formalize the
network.
7 Training of scientific and technical personnel
The possibility of mutual assistance between the countries operating in the
Antarctic during the International Geophysical Year, for the training of scientific
and technical personnel, will be discussed during the conference.
8 Weather Central in Antarctica
The United States National Committee for the International Geophysical Year
has proposed that a concept of a Weather Central in Antarctica during the Inter-
national Geophysical Year be discussed during the Antarctic Conference.
Such a Weather Central could, for example, undertake to do the following :
(a) Collect and relay meteorological messages from other Antarctic Stations,
field parties, aircraft and ships operating in or close to Antarctica.
(b) Keep in touch with all field parties, which would be required to submit
meteorological messages on a definite schedule. Such close contact with
field parties would serve as a necessary safety measure as well as co-ordinating
scientific work in the field.
(c) Receive weather information from southern hemisphere countries both in
the form of weather data and as coded weather charts.
(d) Transmit Antarctic weather reports on regularly scheduled broadcasts for
use of all countries.
(e) Prepare, from all available weather reports and map analyses, a once-daily
surface-weather chart of the southern hemisphere and twice-daily weather
charts of Antarctica and adjacent waters, including those for upper levels.
If an Antarctic Weather Central is approved, the Conference should designate
a country to be responsible for its operation.
The President proposed to discuss first point 8 : The establishment of a Weather
Central in the Antarctic. He felt that this question was essentially of a technical
nature and that, as a result, this question ought to be handed over to a working
group.
Sir DAVID BRUNT considered that the Conference was not competent to discuss
this question, and that it ought to be turned over to the WMO, while Dr. H. WEXLER
said that it was necessary to discuss this important question immediately. The
WMO ought to occupy itself with the whole of the meteorological program of the
International Geophysical Year and with its execution. The Conference, on the
other hand, ought to consider specifically the problems arising in the organization
of expeditions to the Antarctic. Furthermore, he noted that the organization of a
400 FIRST CSAGI ANTARCTIC CONFERENCE
Weather Central in the Antarctic was of interest not only to meteorologists. Such
a Bureau is called upon to serve all those who will participate in expeditions, and
give aid to air, maritime and land transportation.
The President believed, also, that it was first necessary to study the problem,
and for this purpose appointed a working group. Prof. VAN MIEGHEM, delegate of
the WMO and member of CSAGI, was made Chairman. This proposal was unani-
mously accepted.
A working group was then appointed with the following membership :
Prof. J. VAN MIEGHEM (Belgium) Chairman
Capt. NUNEZ MONASTERIO (Argentina)
Mr. J. P. SHELTON (Australia)
Capt. R. KOEGEL (Chile)
Dr. H. WEXLER (United States)
M. J. GILBERT (France)
Mr. G. ROBIN (U.K.)
Dr. J. N. SCHUMACHER (Norway)
Mr. G. LOWE (New Zealand)
Sir DAVID BRUNT felt that point 6 of the agenda was very closely related to
point 8 and he suggested that it be considered by the same working group.
Prof. J. VAN MIEGHEM observed that although the question of radio transmission
was very important to the meteorologists it was equally important for other opera-
tions of the IGY.
Sir DAVID BRUNT felt that, if point 6 was placed before the Working Group
on the Antarctic Weather Central, the membership of the group ought to be enlarged.
Father LEJAY felt that in considering the question of radio transmission, two
problems must be kept in mind. It would first be necessary to determine the scope
of communications, which is indispensable for the successful operation of the
expeditions, without preoccupation with the technical questions which their instal-
lation requires. It would be more valuable for the examination of these technical
questions to be confided to a working group presided over by Mr. SHAPLEY.
M. P. E. VICTOR agreed with the point of view developed by Father LEJAY. In
his opinion it was indispensable to establish meteorological radio liaison for aid to
aircraft and maritime operations, and to provide the necessary contact between
the different expeditions, between the mobile expeditions and the bases, in order
to facilitate rescue operations, etc.
Dr. WEXLER agreed that it was necessary to establish a second working group,
which would work in co-operation with the group already set up. He proposed
that Mr. SHAPLEY direct a Working Group on Radio Communications.
The President resumed the discussion, and in a concluding résumé proposed the
sub-division of point 6. The first part of this point on the agenda, the consideration
of the meteorological network in the Antarctic, would be given to the working
group already established. The second part, the question of radio transmission,
would be examined by the other group presided over by Mr. SHAPLEY. This com-
mittee would consider also point 4 of the agenda, aids to navigation.
GENERAL REPORT 401
The Conference proceeded to the selection of the members of this working group
as follows :
Mr. A. H. SHAPLEY (United States) Chairman
Commander C. A. SNAY (United States)
Capt. L. E. DIAS (Argentina)
Capt. R. KOEGEL (Chile)
M. D. LÉPÉCHINSKY (France)
The President then raised the question of whether these working groups of the
Conference should be permanent or whether they should be set up simply for the
duration of the Conference. He was considering this question particularly with
reference to point 8 on the agenda.
Prof. VAN MIEGHEM remarked that there existed already two working groups
considering the problems of meteorology. A working group concerning itself with
related problems did not seem desirable. Prof. VAN MIEGHEM offered his services
to complete the final report of the group which had just been set up, and to offer
any advice to members of the working group. He felt that if the Conference decided
that it was necessary to establish a permanent group, the permanent committee
members should be elected at the end of the session.
Father LEJAY felt that the two working groups mentioned by Prof. VAN MIEGHEM
were already overworked, and that the working group examining the problems of
the Antarctic Weather Central had special tasks to execute, Antarctic problems
presenting their own particular aspects.
Dr. WEXLER then remarked that the two working groups already existing
had global problems to examine, while the working group which had just been
established was to concern itself with special problems related to the Antarctic.
He hoped that Prof. VAN MIEGHEM would accept the Chairmanship of a third group
in order to ensure co-ordination.
M. P. E. VICTOR recalled that the object of the Conference was to ensure perfect
technical co-ordination between the expeditions in the Antarctic. The scientific
programs had already been drawn up. What ought to be done there was to con-
sider the technical preparations with the aim of ensuring the execution of this
established program in the Antarctic.
The President proposed to put to a vote the question of establishing a per-
manent group.
Prof. VAN MIEGHEM felt that the committee would be efficient only if it were
composed of a small number of competent and enthusiastic members.
Dr. WEXLER agreed with this opinion.
The question was then put to the vote and it was decided to establish a per-
manent group at the end of the session.
The President proposed that the nations prepared to assume responsibility for
the organization and functioning of the Antarctic Weather Central should make
themselves known. This point would be examined with care by the working group
which had just been established.
Mr. P. E. VICTOR suggested that this task ought to be given to the United States
of America.
402 FIRST CSAGI ANTARCTIC CONFERENCE
The President felt that it was for the Committee to make such a suggestion.
The session was closed at 12.00.
1.2 Second Plenary Session, Wednesday, § July
The President opened the session at 14.45 and invited the Chairman of each
national delegation to lay before the Conference his country's projected plans for
stations which it would occupy during the IGY, and information concerning the
personnel that would be involved.
After these reports the President counted the number of Antarctic and sub-
Antarctic stations and noted with satisfaction that there was a total of 49 stations.
He then commented on the distribution of the proposed stations, and noted that
there had been no definite decisions about certain proposed station sites, which
would perhaps not be occupied during the IGY. He pointed out that in the proposed
network there were certain crowded regions in which several nations proposed to
instal stations. He discussed the possibility of the repositioning of stations and
the question whether it would be possible for several nations to instal bases in the
same region without losing sight of the objectives of the program. In that case
the proposed stations should be supplied with complementary equipment. The
President asked the opinion of the Conference.
Mr. ODISHAW suggested that this question ought to be examined by a working
group.
Dr. WEXLER thought that the Conference could not satisfactorily discuss the
question without a detailed knowledge of each national program.
Mr. DE TEZANOS PINTO thought that it was not essential that bases should be
established in the neighborhood of one another. While maintaining her rights in
territories, the Argentine Government would not oppose the establishment of
scientific IGY stations in those regions. He submitted to the President the following
written declaration which he asked to have inserted in the Minutes of the Meeting :
"The Argentine Republic, while reserving her rights of sovereignty in sectors of
the Antarctic, does not oppose scientific research being carried out in these sectors
during the International Geophysical Year, but Argentina claims the first right to
establish stations in these areas in the event of repositioning of stations."
Sir DAVID BRUNT indicated that when the U.K. had decided to establish a
station in the vicinity of Vahsel Bay, they were ignorant of the Argentine pro-
gram. He did not wish to voice an opinion on this question.
Mr. J. ROSSETTI felt likewise that it would be necessary to form a working
group instructed to study the repositioning of stations.
The President put the question to a vote and it was unanimously accepted.
Dr. M. NICOLET insisted that scientific questions should be taken into con-
sideration in examining the distribution of stations. Geographical considerations
alone were not sufficient.
M. P. E. VICTOR remarked that there were Antarctic expeditions whose activities
were outside the IGY program.
The President asked the assembly to proceed to the setting-up of a working
group.
GENERAL REPORT 403
Mr. SHELTON commented that it would not be practical to undertake to estab-
lish a station at a given place on the Antarctic coast until reconnaissance had been
carried out to locate suitable places. The Australian National Antarctic Research
Expedition will carry out a survey of the coast of the Australian Antarctic territory
from Adelie Land to its permanent base at Mawson next summer. If the result of
this survey were favorable, they would then set up a station near to that planned
by Belgium. He therefore asked that both Belgium and Australia be represented
on the Working Group. He pointed out further that the Australian base at Maw-
son which has been continuously occupied for some time, and the other bases which
will be set up by the AN ARE, are part of a continuing program of Antarctic develop-
ment by Australia. While every effort will be made to deploy resources in the best
interests of the IGY, the development of the long-term program must also be
considered.
Mr. ODISHAW proposed to give the Chairmanship of this group to Prof. H. U.
SVERDRUP. This proposition was seconded by Sir DAVID BRUNT and by the dele-
gation of Argentina. Prof. SVERDRUP was elected unanimously.
The following working group was then appointed :
Prof. H. U. SVERDRUP (Norway) Chairman
General F. RENAULD (Argentina)
Mr. N. DESCHAMPS (Australia)
Dr. E. HÖGE (Belgium)
Prof. 0. PINOCHET (Chile)
Dr. L. M. GOULD (United States)
Sir DAVID BRUNT and Dr. D. C. MARGIN (U.K.)
Dr. N. SCHUMACHER (Norway)
Mr. M. NORRISH (New Zealand)
Prof. V. BELOUSSOV (USSR)
It was agreed that Dr. M. NICOLET should represent CSAGI on the working
group and that M. G. LACLAVÈRE should represent the countries not present at the
Conference.
After a short recess the President proposed to discuss point 2 on the agenda,
and asked the delegates to report on the bases which their respective countries
were planning.
The Argentine delegate indicated the bases where his country was organizing
depots of supplies and fuel, hospital services, and repair shops. The President
commended the Argentine effort.
Mr. SHELTON announced that the Australian permanent base at Macquarie
Island might be used as a port of call for ships in that area, and that possibly fuel
may be cached there for ships if sufficient notice of such requests were given in
advance. He expressed the appreciation of the Australian National Antarctic
Research Expedition for the facilities which the French expedition had provided
at Kerguelen and hoped that this collaboration would continue.
The Chilean delegate presented a list of bases occupied by Chile.
M. P. E. VICTOR, of France, announced that a depot of supplies, fuel, food, as
well as a medical center would be set up at Pointe Géologie. He mentioned the
2
404 FIRST CSAGI ANTARCTIC CONFERENCE
important base at Kerguelen where there also would be medical services. Finally,
at the time of return the French will have a ship at the disposition of the men.
Dr. GOULD, of the United States, indicated that the U.S.A. logistical support
was entirely the responsibility of the United States Navy, and Adm. Dufek outlined
American aid in the following manner :
"(1) Food, rest and shelter for overland parties at American bases. Emergency
supplies.
"(2) Search and rescue.
"(3) Shelter for crew of any aircraft landing at Little America or McMurdo
Sound. Service and refuelling of aircraft.
"(4) Support as agreed upon by bilateral arrangement."
The President drew attention to the exceptional importance of the American
contribution.
Sir DAVID BRUNT, delegate of the U.K., said that his country was not ready
at that time to outline their facilities.
After the report of several delegates, the President said that he could see two
ways by which different countries could co-ordinate their efforts :
(1) The different countries having mentioned their needs, a committee could be
charged with distributing these reports between the different bases.
(2) The question of reprovisioning could be resolved by bilateral accord between
the participants.
Dr. GOULD and M. P. E. VICTOR both felt that it was necessary to solve these
questions by bilateral agreement. The Conference agreed to this opinion.
The session was closed at 17.00.
1.3 Third Plenary Session, Thursday, 7 July
The President opened the session at 10.15 and read two telegrams: the first, re-
ceived from Japan, indicated the degree of its participation in the International Geo-
physical Year in the Antarctic ; the second, from Moscow, announced the arrival of
Prof. V. BELOUSSOV on the coming evening, 7 July. The President then proceeded
to read the minutes of the Plenary Session of the morning of 6 July. The dele-
gations approved these minutes unanimously subject to a few amendments.
The President then commented that the questions on the agenda remaining
to be examined were allied with one another, except point 7, which was a special
point that might be treated rapidly. Point 4 was given to the Working Group on
Radio Transmission. An additional working group was needed to consider the co-
ordination of transport, rescue, and supply.
On a suggestion from Dr. WEXLER, it was agreed that the Working Group for
the Co-ordination of Stations should discuss also the co-ordination of scientific
programs, and should be called "The Working Group for Co-ordination of Stations
and Scientific Programs."
The proposal of the President to split up the Conference into working groups
was adopted unanimously. But because of the increased scope of the Working
Group for the Co-ordination of Stations and Scientific Programs, the President
thought that it would be best to modify the composition of the working group by
