RECONNAISANCE
by V.U.W.A.E. 8 of White Island, Black Island and Brown Peninsula. (Fig- I)
20th January, 1964.

A helicopter reconnaisance lasting 5 hours enabled the whole term together to fly over and land on White Island, Black Island and Brown Peninsula in that order. Altogether 5 landings were made, at each of which half an hour was spent on the ground.

The first landing (A in Fig. I) was at the tip of Cape Spencer-Smith, the northern extremity of White Island. The ice free areas of greatest extent on the island are at this end, but they are very limited in area, discontinuous and separated by large tracts of steep snow and ice. Nothing of exceptional interest was found at Cape Spencer-Smith and no outcrops or bare areas of significant extent were seen while flying around the east and south of White Island. Only small, isolated, steep outcrops were exposed. White Island is regarded as being an unpromising and unsuitable place for V.U.W.A.E. to work.

The strotch of shelf ice (White Strait) between White Island and Black Island is rough and crevassed. A crossing on foot by V.U.W.A.E. should definitely not be undertaken.

Black Island was far were encouraging and 2 landings were made - (B) of the eastern side of the island in saddle west of Scallop Hill, and, after circling over the northern and eastern slopes of the island, (C) on lit. Nubian - near the summit of the island. Considerable variation in the type of volcanics and numerous xenoliths were found in exposures under Scallop Hill and on lit. Mubian. Unusual geomorphic features were observed near the shore of the island. Travel by foot on Black Island would be safe and feasible. Most of the island is snow and ice free but snow patches are frequent enough to obviate water supply problems. The island is large and would require at least 3 main dumps to support 2 week's field work.

The expanse of shelf ice between Black Island and Brown Peninsula is definitely out for V.U.W.A.E. The Ross Ice Shelf here is badly crevassed, very rough and studded with a labyrinth of welt pools. Quite apart from the danger in crossing such territory at would be impossible to carry a large mount of equipment and staples over this ice. Even dog and toboggan sledging might be very difficult over this strotch and these modes of transport are best left to parties experienced in such methods. The first landing on Brown Peninsula (D) was made near the isthmus, on the Koettlitz side. After flying along the western side of the peninsula the last landing (E.) was [gap — reason: illegible] as far as possible towards the northern tip of the peninsula.

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Brown Peninsula is interesting from many viewpoints - basements. geology, superficial deposits ice-cored ground limnology end botany. Towards the tip of the peninsula lakes of many kinds are abundant ice covered, frosen to the bottom, completely unfrozen and saline and algae-containing. Where was again much variation in the volcanies and monoliths were large and numerous. Fossiliferous superficial deposits and deposits of wind blown rounded grit with unusual characteristics were prevalent near the northern tip of the peninsula. Travel on foot is safe and feasible right back to the high slopes of lit. Discovery. A.V.U.W.A.E. could profitably spend 3 weeks on Brown Peninsula supported by A dumps.

To sum up, an expedition of 6 men, supported by helicopter transport, could spend up to 5 weeks on Black Island and Brown Peninsula.