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Data Set ID:
NSIDC-0665

Lake Untersee, Antarctica Climate Data, Version 1

This data set is a five-year data record of meteorological conditions at Lake Untersee. The data covers five astral summer seasons comprised of December, January, and February.

Geographic Coverage

Spatial Coverage:
  • N: -71.34, S: -71.34, E: 13.45, W: 13.45

Spatial Resolution: Not Specified
Temporal Coverage:
  • 11 December 2008 to 7 December 2014
Temporal Resolution: 30 minute
Parameter(s):
  • Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Air Temperature > Air Temperature
  • Frozen Ground > Soil Temperature > Ground Temperature
  • Atmospheric Water Vapor > Humidity > Relative Humidity
  • Atmospheric Radiation > Solar Radiation
  • Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds
Platform(s) GROUND STATIONS
Sensor(s): HUMIDITY SENSORS, TEMPERATURE LOGGERS, THERMOMETERS
Data Format(s):
  • Microsoft Excel
Version: V1
Data Contributor(s): Dale Andersen, Christopher McKay, Victor Lagun

Data Citation

As a condition of using these data, you must cite the use of this data set using the following citation. For more information, see our Use and Copyright Web page.

Andersen, D. T., C. P. McKay, and V. Lagun. 2016. Lake Untersee, Antarctica Climate Data, Version 1. [Indicate subset used]. Boulder, Colorado USA. NSIDC: National Snow and Ice Data Center. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5067/01U4L6KSRLFU. [Date Accessed].

Literature Citation

As a condition of using these data, we request that you acknowledge the author(s) of this data set by referencing the following peer-reviewed publication.

  • Andersen, D. T., C. P. McKay, and V. Lagun. 2015. Climate Conditions at Perennially Ice-Covered Lake Untersee, East Antarctica, Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology. 54. 1393-1412. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/jamc-d-14-0251.1

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Detailed Data Description

In November 2008, an automated meteorological station was established at Lake Untersee, a perennially ice-covered lake in East Antarctica. This data set is a five-year data record of meteorological conditions at Lake Untersee. The data cover five austral summer seasons comprised of December, January, and February (D, J, F).  The data in the Lake_Untersee_Hourly_2008-12-01_2014-12-06.xlsx file are the hourly averages from the field measurements, and the data in the Lake_Untersee_Daily_2008-12-01_2014-12-06.xlsx file were determined from the hourly values.  The data in the Lake_Untersee_MetHobo_2010-12-07_2014-11-23.xlsx file provide the data in two columns in the daily file and form the basis for two different figures (1 and 14) in Andersen, et al. 2015.

Format

The data are available in Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) format. 

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File and Directory Structure

Data are available are available via FTP and HTTPS. There are three files in this data set: Lake_Untersee_Daily_2008-12-01_2014-12-06.xlsx, Lake_Untersee_MetHobo_2010-12-07_2014-11-23.xlsx, and Lake_Untersee_Hourly_2008-12-01_2014-12-06.xlsx. See Tables 1, 2, and 3 for data field descriptions.

The Lake_Untersee_Daily_2008-12-01_2014-12-06.xlsx file has 3 header rows and 28 columns.  The header rows are defined as follows:

  • First header row provides a "long name" for each data field.
  • Second header line provides a "short name" for each data field.
  • Third header line provides the units for each data field.
Table 1. Lake_Untersee_Daily_2008-12-01_2014-12-06.xlsx Data Field Descriptions
Column Header Short Name Description
Date Date format = mm/dd/yy
Ave Sunlight Figure 2b SlrkW_Avg Average daily sunlight in kw/m2 from Figure 2b in Andersen, et al. 2015
Net Solar Radiation (Downwelling - Reflected) NetSW_Tot Measured with a CNR2-L Kipp and Zonen longwave and shortwave net radiometer. Measurements in W/m 2
Total Downwelling Longwave Radiation NetLW_Tot Measured with a CNR2-L Kipp and Zonen longwave and shortwave net radiometer. Measurements in W/m 2
Minimum Air Temp RTD_C_Min Daily minimum temperature in °C measured with a Campbell Scientific 43347-VX RTD temperature probe 2.2 m above the ground
Average Air Temp RTD_C_Avg Daily average temperature in °C measured with a Campbell Scientific 43347-VX RTD temperature probe 2.2 m above the ground
Maximum Air Temperature RTD_C_Max Daily maximum temperature in °C measured with a Campbell Scientific 43347-VX RTD temperature probe 2.2 m above the ground
Minimum Ground Temp at 1 cm Depth Temp107C_Min (1 cm) Daily minimum temperature in °C at 1 cm ground depth measured with a Campbell 107 thermistor probe buried 1 cm below the surface
Minimum Ground Temperature at 10 cm Depth Temp107C_Min(4) Daily minimum temperature in °C at 10 cm ground depth measured with a Campbell 107 thermistor probe buried 1 cm below the surface
Minimum Ground Temperature at 22 cm Depth Temp107C_Min(5) Daily minimum temperature in °C at 22 cm ground depth measured with a Campbell 107 thermistor probe buried 1 cm below the surface
Minimum Ground Temperature at 27 cm Depth Temp107C_Min(2) Daily minimum temperature in °C  at 27 cm ground depth measured with a Campbell 107 thermistor probe buried 1 cm below the surface
Average Ground Temperature at 1 cm Depth Temp107C_Avg(1) Daily average temperature in °C at 1 cm ground depth measured with a Campbell 107 thermistor probe buried 1 cm below the surface
Average Ground Temperature at 10 cm Depth Temp107C_Avg(4) Daily average temperature in °C at 10 cm ground depth measured with a Campbell 107 thermistor probe buried 1 cm below the surface
Average Ground Temperature at 22 cm Depth Temp107C_Avg(5) Daily average temperature in °C at 22 cm ground depth measured with a Campbell 107 thermistor probe buried 1 cm below the surface
Average Ground Temperature at 27 cm Depth Temp107C_Avg(2) Daily average temperature in °C at 27 cm ground depth measured with a Campbell 107 thermistor probe buried 1 cm below the surface
Maximum Ground Temperature at 1 cm Depth Temp107C_Max(1) Daily maximum temperature in °C at 1 cm ground depth measured with a Campbell 107 thermistor probe buried 1 cm below the surface
Maximum Ground Temperature at 10 cm Depth Temp107C_Max(4) Daily maximum temperature in °C at 10 cm ground depth measured with a Campbell 107 thermistor probe buried 1 cm below the surface
Maximum Ground Temperature at 22 cm Depth Temp107C_Max(5) Daily maximum temperature in °C at 22 cm ground depth measured with a Campbell 107 thermistor probe buried 1 cm below the surface
Maximum Ground Temperature at 27 cm Depth Temp107C_Max(2) Daily maximum temperature in °C at 27 cm ground depth measured with a Campbell 107 thermistor probe buried 1 cm below the surface
Mean wind speed over 30 min interval WS_ms_WVc(1) Measurements in m/s and were measured with an R.M. Young 05103 wind monitor (Alpine model) affixed to the mast 3.0m above the ground, using WindVector Output option zero. See CR1000 Measurement and Control System Operator's Manual, p. 188-189 for more information.
Maximum wind speed over 30 min interval WS_ms_Max Measurements in km/h and were measured with an R.M. Young 05103 wind monitor (Alpine model) affixed to the mast 3.0m above the ground, using WindVector Output option zero. See CR1000 Measurement and Control System Operator's Manual, p. 188-189 for more information.
Minimum Battery Voltage Batt_Volt_Min Daily minimum voltage output 
Maximum Battery Voltage Batt_Volt_Max Daily maximum voltage output
Average Panel Temperature PTemp_Avg Daily average temperature in °C of the wiring panel of the Campbell Scientific CR1000 datalogger
blank no data
blank no data
Date Date (mm/dd/yy) of measurements made by the Onset HOBO Pro
Daily Average Air Temp, Deg_C Daily average air temperature in  °C as measured by the Onset HOBO pro instrument

The Lake_Untersee_MetHobo_2010-12-07_2014-11-23.xlsx has 2 header rows and 4 columns. The first header row contains the name and attributes of the sensor used for the HOBO's hourly readings, with the second row providing the field names.

Table 2. Lake_Untersee_MetHobo_2010-12-07_2014-11-23.xlsx Data Field Descriptions
Column Header Description
LU Local Time Lake Untersee local time
Temperature, C Temperature read by the Methobo sensor in °C
RH, % Relative humidity, %
RH Ice Relative humidity of ice, %

The Lake_Untersee_Hourly_2008-12-01_2014-12-06.xlsx has 4 header rows and 19 columns. The header rows are defined as follows:

  • First header row describes the location and instrument for the measurements.
  • Second header row provides a "short name" for each data field.
  • Third header row provides the units of measure for the data field.
  • Fourth header row indicates whether the values of the data field are averages, minimums, maximums, wind vector outputs or sampled values.
Table 3. Lake_Untersee_Hourly_2008-12-01_2014-12-06.xlsx Data Field Descriptions
Column Header Long Name Description
Timestamp (TS) Lake Untersee local timestamp for each measurement. Format = mm/dd/yy hh:mm
Record (RN) Sequential number applied to each measurement, beginning with 0 and ending with 93735
SlrkW_Avg Ave Sunlight Figure 2b Average daily sunlight in kw/m2 from Figure 2b in Andersen, et al. 2015
NetSW_Avg Net Solar Radiation (Downwelling - Reflected) Hourly average of the solar shortwave radiation measurement in W/m 2. Measured with a CNR2-L Kipp and Zonen longwave and shortwave net radiometer
NetLW_Avg Downwelling Longwave Radiation Average Hourly average of the longwave radiation measurement in W/m 2. Measured with a CNR2-L Kipp and Zonen longwave and shortwave net radiometer.
AirTC_Avg Minimum Air Temp Hourly average of the minimum temperature in °C measured with a Campbell Scientific 43347-VX RTD temperature probe 2.2 m above the ground
RTD_C_Avg Average Air Temp Hourly average temperature in °C measured with a Campbell Scientific 43347-VX RTD temperature probe 2.2 m above the ground
RTD_C_Max Maximum Air Temperature Hourly maximum temperature in °C measured with a Campbell Scientific 43347-VX RTD temperature probe 2.2 m above the ground
RTD_C_Min Minimum Air Temp Hourly average of the minimum temperature in °C measured with a Campbell Scientific 43347-VX RTD temperature probe 2.2 m above the ground
RH_Avg Relative Humidity Average Hourly average of relative humidity, %
WS_kmh_Max Maximum wind speed over 30 min interval Hourly average of wind speed in km/h. Measured with an R.M. Young 05103 wind monitor (Alpine model) affixed to the mast 3.0m above the ground
WS_kmh_WVc(1) Mean horizontal wind speed over 30 min interval (S) Hourly readings measured in km/h with an R.M. Young 05103 wind monitor (Alpine model) affixed to the mast 3.0m above the ground. using WindVector Output option zero. See CR1000 Measurement and Control System Operator's Manual, p. 188-189 for more information.
WS_degrees_WVc(2) Unit vector mean wind direction (Θ1) Hourly readings measured in degrees with an R.M. Young 05103 wind monitor (Alpine model) affixed to the mast 3.0m above the ground, using WindVector Output option zero. See CR1000 Measurement and Control System Operator's Manual, p. 188-189 for more information.
WS_degrees_WVc(3) Standard deviation of wind direction δ(Θ1) Hourly readings measured in degrees with an R.M. Young 05103 wind monitor (Alpine model) affixed to the mast 3.0m above the ground, using WindVector Output option zero. See CR1000 Measurement and Control System Operator's Manual, p. 188-189 for more information.
Temp107C_Avg(1) 1cm depth Average Ground Temperature at 1 cm Depth Hourly average ground temperature in °C at 1 cm ground depth measured with a Campbell 107 thermistor probe buried 1 cm below the surface
Temp107C_Avg(4) 10 cm depth Average Ground Temperature at 10 cm Depth Daily average temperature in °C at 10 cm ground depth measured with a Campbell 107 thermistor probe buried 1 cm below the surface
Temp107C_Avg(5) 22 cm depth Average Ground Temperature at 22 cm Depth Daily average temperature in °C at 22 cm ground depth measured with a Campbell 107 thermistor probe buried 1 cm below the surface
Temp107C_Avg(2) 27 cm depth Average Ground Temperature at 27 cm Depth Hourly average temperature in °C at 27 cm ground depth measured with a Campbell 107 thermistor probe buried 1 cm below the surface
BP_kPa Barometric Pressure Hourly barometric pressure readings in kPa measured with a Campbell Scientific CS106 barometric pressure sensor
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File Size

The file size ranges from 362 KB to 12.6 MB.

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Spatial Coverage

Data collected at coordinates 74.34° S and 13.45° E at Lake Untersee.

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Temporal Coverage

The data cover from 11 December 2008 to 07 December 2014 for the months of December, January, and February.

Temporal Resolution

The interval averages and minimum and maximum values were recorded every 30 minutes.

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Parameter or Variable

Parameters for this data set are air temperature, ground temperature, wind speed, and solar radiation.

Sample Data Record

See Figures 1, 2, and 3 below for sample data. These figures are representative only and do not contain all columns nor all rows.

Figure 1. Daily Measurements
Figure 2. MetHobo Measurements

Figure 3. Hourly Measurements

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Software and Tools

Software and Tools

Data are accessible with Microsoft Excel.

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Data Acquisition and Processing

Data Acquisition Methods

A Campbell Scientific CR1000 data logger and associated sensors mounted on a standard Campbell Scientific 3-m tripod collected meteorological data once every minute. The interval averages and minimum and maximum values for the variables were recorded every 30 minutes. See Table 4 for a list of the sensors and refer to Andersen, et al. 2015 for more information about the sensors and data collection methods.

Table 4. Sensor Description
Sensor Parameter Measured Description
Campbell Scientific 43347-VX RTD Temperature Probe Air Temperature Mounted 2.2 m above ground. Uses a 1000 Ω platinum resistance temperature device (RTD) with a stated error of ±0.3º C
Onset HOBO Proair Air Temperature
Relative Humidity
Housed in an unventilated sunshield; error is ±0.1º C or up to 2º C during bright sun conditions; relative humidity error is ±5%
Campbell 107 Thermistor Probe Ground Temperature 1 cm below the surface; stated uncertainty of ±0.2º C
Campbell CS300-L Apogee PYR-P Pyranometer Solar Flux Measures the solar radiation incident on a flat, cosine-corrected head, level with respect to the ground; detects solar flux from 300 to 1100 nm; calibrated by Campbell with respect to a Kipp and Zonen CM21 thermopile pyranometer under natural solar flux; absolute accuracy is stated as ±5%
R.M. Young 05103 Wind Monitor (Alpine model) Wind Speed
Wind Direction
Mounted 3.0 m above the ground; speed sensitivity is 1.0 m/s; direction set to ±3º of true North with a Garmin 60CSx handheld GPS (Baxter 2001)
Campbell Scientific CS106  Barometric Pressure Measures barometric pressure for the range of 500 to 1100 MB; 

data are a part of the archival data set

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References and Related Publications

Contacts and Acknowledgments

Dale T. Andersen
Carl Sagan Center, SETI Institute
189 Bernardo Ave., Suite 100
Mountain View, CA 94043 U. S.

Christopher P. McKay
NASA Ames Research Center
Moffatt Blvd. Moffatt Field, CA

Victor Lagun
Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute
Beringa St., 38 St. Petersburg, Russia 199397

Acknowledgements: 

These data were generated through support from the NASA Astrobiology/ASTEP program (NNX09AE77A), Tawani Foundation, Trottier Family Foundation, and the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI).

Document Information

DOCUMENT CREATION DATE

31 March 2016

DOCUMENT REVISION DATE

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