Island Update: Winter
Winter is coming!
Life on Macquarie Island continues to deliver its signature blend of wild weather and dramatic geology.
Just last month, the island experienced a magnitude 6.8 earthquake—a firm reminder of its position on the Macquarie Ridge Complex (MRC), a 1,600km long fault zone in the Southern Ocean. This tectonically active region lies at the convergence of the Australian and Pacific plates, making it one of the most earthquake-prone areas in the Southern Ocean. Earthquakes are not uncommon here, a reflection of the dynamic forces constantly shaping the seafloor below.
Above the surface, the weather has shifted into full winter mode. Conditions have become noticeably bleaker. The auroras are growing stronger and more frequent, lighting up the sub-Antarctic skies in breathtaking displays. With the colder months setting in, most of the island’s iconic wildlife has now moved on, leaving a quieter, more subdued landscape in its place.
Macquarie Island Winter Aurora- Photo Credit: Mel Wells
Macquarie Island Winter Aurora- Jaslyn Allnutt
Resupply operations are just around the corner. RSV Nuyina is set to depart Hobart within the next week, carrying fresh expeditioners and a shipload of cargo bound for Macquarie Island. The arrival of the vessel marks the start of a busy transition period, with the current station team—many of whom have been on the island for over 12 months—getting ready to head home. The summer team, in place for the past six months, will also rotate out as the new wintering crew arrives.
Once the Nuyina reaches the island, it will be all systems go. The station and field huts will be resupplied with everything from building materials and office equipment to books, computer gear, and essential food stores. Waste will be returned to Australia for processing, and a flurry of ship-to-shore activity will unfold across the coastal zone (if the weather permits of course!).
Resupply is also a key opportunity for short-term scientific research trips. Researchers will take advantage of the window to conduct vital fieldwork without needing to commit to the full summer or winter season. Alongside these operations, station handover will take place, with the incoming team learning the ropes from the experienced crew heading home.
We look forward to welcoming the current team back and wish the new expeditioners a safe, productive, and memorable season on the island!