After the blow

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Antarctica, being as flat as it is, is the windiest continent on Earth. The highest wind speed ever recorded in Antarctica was in the region of 320km/h near the Dumont d'Urville station belonging to the Institut Polaire Francais, in July 1972. As the wind blows, it creates sastrugi - parallel ridges or grooves formed on the surface of the snow. The ridges are perpendicular to the wind direction, with the steep edge to the windward side and a long tail at the lee side. Traveling over the sastrugi covered surface is very tiring for both men and machines.