348 THE END OF THE WINTER 



twelve months' stay on it. In the course of the winter 

 and spring the pack-ice is forced up against the Barrier 

 into pressure-ridges of as much as 40 feet in height. 

 This took place only about a mile and a quarter from 

 our hut, without our noticing its effect in the slightest 

 degree. In my opinion, if this Barrier had been afloat, 

 the effect of the violent shock which took place at its 

 edge would not merely have been noticeable, but would 

 have shaken our house. While building the house, 

 Stubberud and Bjaaland heard a loud noise a long way 

 off, but could feel nothing. During our whole stay we 

 never heard a sound or felt a movement on this spot. 

 Another very good proof seems to be afforded by the 

 large theodolite that Prestrud used. It would take 

 next to nothing to disturb its level a slight change of 

 temperature might be enough. So delicate an instru- 

 ment would have soon shown an inclination if the Barrier 

 had been afloat. 



The day we entered the bay for the first time, a small 

 piece of its western cape broke away. During the spring 

 the drift-ice pressed in an insignificant part of one of 

 the many points on the outer edge of the Barrier. 

 With these exceptions, we left the Barrier as we found 

 it, entirely unaltered. The soundings, which showed a 

 rapid rise in the bottom as the Fram changed her posi- 

 tion southward along the Barrier, are also a clear sign 

 that land is close at hand. Finally, the formations of 

 the Barrier appear to be the best proof. It could not 



