The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) has revised its shipping schedule due to heavy sea ice conditions adjacent to Mawson research station. My est location marked M – just west of Amery Ice Shelf.
Satellite image from The Cryosphere Today 23 Jan 2014 – there is an animation there.
Midsummer, decades of global warming, sea ice still impeding access to Antarctica.
Blocked rather than blockaded, I reckon.
Aurora Australis progressing through ice under lights after leaving Davis heading north – I think they are hoping to get to Mawson.
Aurora Australis sitreps say they are not now going to Mawson but heading back to Hobart. Talk in sitrep for 18th about a flyoff if they got near Mawson.