Convoi du raid ASUMA dans le blizzard en Antarctique

Convoy in a blizzard on the continent of Antarctica, during the ASUMA (Improving the Accuracy of the SUrface Mass balance of Antarctica) expedition. The scientific drilling caravan is equipped with a mast on which a laser device enables mapping of the roughness of the snow surface when stationary. This roughness represents the snow surface state, smooth or degree of relief. It influences the way in which the light is reflected. ASUMA is an ANR/IPEV programme under whose auspices a scientific expedition left point D10, a few kilometres from the French Dumont d’Urville base in Antarctica, on 1 December 2016, heading towards the centre of the continent. The goal of this programme is in particular to better understand the current evolution of the snow accumulated on the surface of Antarctica from one year to the next. This would make it possible to reduce uncertainty regarding its current regimen and its possible impact on sea levels. The ASUMA expedition took place in an area still largely unknown from a scientific point of view, because very few measurements have been made on the ground. It is a transition zone between the coast and the Antarctic Plateau.