OIB: Across the Ross

After an early morning weather briefing and takeoff from the sea ice runway at the National Science Foundation's McMurdo Station in Antarctica, the NASA P-3 flew a survey that took researchers across the Ross Sea basin and back. The purpose of this mission was to set up a pair of parallel lines known as a flux gate that scientists can use to study how ice moves out through the Ross Sea. In addition, IceBridge's instruments collected data on sea ice freeboard – the height of ice above the ocean surface – which can be used to calculate sea ice thickness and volume.

For more information about Operation IceBridge, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/icebridge