This data set contains depth sounding data (water depths) for Ellis Fjord, one of the fjords of the Vestfold Hills. The data were collected between 1994 and 1999. See the links in the related links section for copies of maps (PDF and TIFF) of Ellis Fjord soundings, sounding transects and bathymetric contours. Map 15623: Ellis Fjord, Vestfold Hills - Depth Soundings Map 15624: Ellis Fjord, Vestfold Hills - Sounding transects Map 15625: Ellis Fjord, Vestfold Hills - Sounding transects overlaying topography Map 15626: Ellis Fjord, Vestfold Hills - Transect coordinates and ground control Map 15627: Ellis Fjord, Vestfold Hills - Bathymetric Contours

This dataset represents Weddell Seal haulout and pupping sites in the Vestfold Hills, Antarctica. The data were sourced from a dataset compiled by Samantha Lake and described by the metadata record 'Distribution of Weddell seals pupping at the Vestfold Hills'. She used a reporting grid described by the metadata record 'Weddell seal reporting grid of the Vestfold Hills, Antarctica' to show observations made over 24 years (pupping areas) and 28 years (non-breeding areas). The map Samantha produced of pupping areas is linked to the metadata record 'Distribution of Weddell seals pupping at the Vestfold Hills'. Polygons were generated by copying relevant grid rectangles from a digital version of the reporting grid, referring to the maps produced by Samantha; the grid rectangles used were those in which there had been greater than 20 observations (pupping), 17 observations (non-breeding). The data was used in an A3 map of the Vestfold Hills published by the Australian Antarctic Data Centre in October 2001 and which is available from a Related URL below. The data are included in the data available for download from a Related URL below. The data conform to the SCAR Feature Catalogue which includes data quality information. See a Related URL below. Data described by this metadata record has Dataset_id = 155. Each feature has a Qinfo number which, when entered at the 'Search datasets & quality' tab, provides data quality information for the feature.

Personnel: B.A.Murphy (1985), I.P.Kaczerepa (1984-85), R.A.Sheridan (1984-85, 1985-86), E.W.MacGibbon. The primary aim of the 1984-85 summer surveying program was to continue with the establishment of the vertical control network on Long, Broad and Mule Peninsulas which would enable periodic and accurate monitoring of water level fluctuations of specified fresh and saline lakes in the Vestfold Hills. Other work completed included Davis magnetic and gravity stations, Department of Housing and Construction site surveys, coordination of RAN Miniranger sites, deployment of tide gauges and horizontal control station surveys. During the 1985-86 summer survey program two major tasks were to be undertaken. The first was to complete loop closures of vertical control networks on Long, Broad and Mule Peninsulas and the second to coordinate Dr Gallagher's long/cross section origin points along the length of Ellis Fjord. Miscellaneous other survey tasks were also carried out including deployment of a tide gauge.

Taken from sections of the report: Introduction: The following report is a detailed summary of the surveying and mapping tasks undertaken in the Vestfold Hills and Mac. Robertson Land regions of the Australian Antarctic Territory during the period from 22 December 1978 to 25 February 1979. A copy of the project instruction detailing the tasks originally intended to be undertaken is attached at Annex 37. The entire report is available as a pdf download from the URL given below.

In July 1989 a circular was distributed calling for applicants for survey duties in the Antarctic over the 1989-90 summer season. The aim of this survey was to carry out a number of survey tasks in the Vestfold Hills, Larsemann Hills, Mawson and the Southern Prince Charles Mountains. It soon became apparent that for logistic reasons deployment in the PCMs would be difficult and this part of the survey was deleted. Job reports for this survey season : Larsemann Hills Photo control; SPOT Image control Rauer Group; Law Base; Russian tide gauge conn. Russian Primary Mark connection; Russian ice runway; Blundell Peak; Vestfold Hills; GPS baselines; Ancient Marine terraces, Lake water levels, Over Ice route markers, Mawson Pageos connection. Includes text, tables, aerial photographs and diagrams.

Taken from the report: This document describes the results of the use of the APPLS (Aerial Photography Pyrometer LiDAR System) during underway science (sea ice) on the way to Davis, and later at Davis during resupply 2010/2011 (November 16 to 20, 2010). This document is primarily for Science Technical Support use. Portions of the report can be used to provide information on the results obtained to other parts of AAD. Some of this aerial photography has also been conducted in support of various AAS projects: AAS 3012 (ASAC_3012) AAS 3113 (ASAC_3113) AAS 2205 (ASAC_2205) AAS 2425 (ASAC_2425) AAS 3154 (ASAC_3154) AAS 3189 (ASAC_3189) A short list of the work carried out: - 3012, 3113 This activity involved long duration over water/sea ice flights for the purposes of "Investigation of physical and biological processes in the Antarctic sea ice zone during spring using in-situ, aircraft and underwater observations". This activity was scheduled for prior to Davis, over pack ice far from shore. Two science specific flights were made, and one opportunistic (sea ice reconnaissance), for a total of 5 hours 19 minutes of data collection for dedicated science - 2205 Priority 1 - Adelie Penguin Census Survey on the Islands in the Davis vicinity This task was a repeat of aerial census of Adelie penguins, conducted in 2009/2010 with coordinated ground counts of specific islands/colonies on Gardner, Magnetic, Lugg and Turner Islands. The ground counts were performed at the same time as the aerial survey, to compare aerial versus ground counts. Personnel from the CEMP Penguin Monitoring Program (Colin Southwell, Barbara Wienecke) performed ground counts coordinated with the flying on two days. The Flight lines were initially done on 2010/11/18 in bright sunlight, and then repeated on 2010/11/20 during overcast weather to compare the different image quality due to lack of shadows cast by the penguins. Priority 2 - Aerial photographic survey of the Svenner Group Islands Flights over Adelie Penguin colonies were performed at 750m, using 150mm lens, and then only over the islands known to host Adelie colonies. Flying time total = 5 hours, 51 minutes - 2425 This task was to survey the Woop Woop Skiway, over an area of 320 square kilometres. Due to time constraints, only every 2nd line was flown after consultation with AAD Air-operations (Steve Daw and Matt Filipowski). Flying time total = 4 hours 25 minutes - 3154 This task was to capture an aerial photograph of a Hawker Island Giant Petrel colony, being monitored by nest cameras. A run was conducted on 2010/11/19 in bright sunlight and also repeated on 2010/11/20 in flat light. Flying time total = 22 minutes - 3189 This task was to survey potential sites, in the Vestfold Hills near Davis, for a Nuclear Test Ban Treaty monitoring installation. Flying time total = 29 minutes

High resolution digital aerial photography of Adelie penguin colonies, Davis Station, Heidemann Valley, and other various areas, LIDAR scanning of portions of the Vestfold Hills, Rauer Islands and sea ice in front of the Amery Ice Shelf, conducted from 2009/11/17 to 2009/11/23. Some of the aerial photography has been conducted in support of various AAS projects: AAS 3012 (ASAC_3012) AAS 2722 (ASAC_2722) AAS 1034 (ASAC_1034) AAS 3130 (ASAC_3130) A short list of the work carried out: - Long duration over water/sea ice flights for the purposes of "Investigation of physical and biological processes in the Antarctic sea ice zone during spring using in situ, aircraft and underwater observations". - Over-flights at 750m over specific islands in the Vestfold Hills and Rauer Islands known to hold Adelie colonies. - Transects of flights were performed over Davis station, at 500m altitude, taking photos and LIDAR measurements. - The evaluation of the APPLS equipment (camera, LIDAR, electronics, software) was performed and in parallel to the other tasks. - Production a digital elevation model of the Heidemann Bay Area. - Aerial photography / LIDAR of moss beds in the Vestfold Hills area. - The Marine Plain area, south east of Davis, was mapped using LIDAR and aerial imagery for the purposes of general Antarctic information. - The Vestfold Lakes, particularly Lake Druzby, Watts Lake, Lake Nicholson and Crooked Lake provide interesting aerial imagery. - The opportunity was taken to visit the plateau skiway (at 'Woop woop') and estimate the effort in opening the skiway later in the season. - Fly over and photograph the length of the resupply fuel hose from the AA to the shore. - The Russian 'Progress 1 and 2', and Chinese Zhong Shan stations were over flown and aerial imagery collected. Taken from the report: This document describes the results of the use of the APPLS (Aerial Photographic Pyrometer Laser System) at Davis during resupply 2009/2010 (November 17 to 24, 2009). This document is primarily for Science Technical Support use. Portions of the report can be used to provide information on the results obtained to other parts of AAD.