International Geophysical Year

The International Geophysical Year (IGY) was modelled on the International Polar Years of 1882-1883 and 1932-1933 and aimed to encourage scientists from around the world to take part in a series of coordinated observations of various geophysical phenomena. This comprehensive series of global geophysical activities spanned the period July 1957-December 1958.

IGY activities literally encompassed the globe – 67 nations participated and although much of the work was carried out in the arctic and equatorial regions, special attention was given to the Antarctic. Not only did IGY research reveal ice depths in Antarctica which yielded radically new estimates of the earth's total ice content, it also contributed to improved meteorological predictions, advances in the theoretical analysis of glaciers and better understanding of seismological phenomena in the Southern Hemisphere.

In February 1955, the Government endorsed the IGY and agreed to support New Zealand scientists in their endeavours to contribute to its programme of events. Dr Trevor Hatherton was chosen to lead the country’s IGY science and his obvious passion for the project saw New Zealand developing and installing its comprehensive scientific programme by April 1957 – well ahead of the official international start date of 1 July.

Most notable amongst the many contributions were Herb Orr’s recordings of seismic activity, Vern Gerard’s magnetic programmes and monitoring of geomagnetic field changes, Peter Macdonald’s radiation measurements and sea level recordings and Neil Sandford’s studies surrounding ionosphere and radio interference. Scientists also recorded nightly auroral and airglow observations, as well as daily geomagnetic field, ionosphere and meteorological data. Fish traps, current meters and tide gauges deployed on the sea ice were also regularly monitored.

Scientific members of the TAE party assisted the work of the IGY team – five of whom wintered over in 1957. The scientific successes, along with continued Government support, encouraged the IGY Committee to extend their programme for an additional year. The original winter team departed in March 1958 and a new crew of eleven scientists led by Lin Martin continued the IGY programme, until the final IGY observation was made at noon on 1 January 1959. The success of the IGY illustrated the value of Scott Base as a permanent scientific observation laboratory.
The IGY of 1957-58 represented at the time, the largest and most important international scientific effort ever undertaken. The spirit of cooperation nurtured by the IGY has been heralded as the catalyst for a most notable political outcome – the setting aside of Antarctica as a non-military region to be used exclusively for international scientific purposes. Antarctica has become a base for collecting meteorological data, including information on the presence and effects of moisture, carbon dioxide, and electrified particles on the atmosphere, and the general circulation of the atmosphere.
The scientific, institutional, and political legacies of the IGY have endured for decades, and many remain even today.