This is what the Antarctic Plateau looks like. This was taken from 32 meters above the snow, on the tower we used for our measurements. The rough features you see on the snow are called sastrugi. They are caused by drifting snow and are about 5 to 15 cm high, 30 to 50 cm across, and a meter or two long (2-6 inches, 12-20 inches, 3-6 feet). At windier places on the Plateau they can get significantly larger.

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Page created 22 May 2005, Last updated 13 June 2005 20:50 Pacific Daylight Time