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Investigation of the process of debris entrainment and till deposition of the Taylor Glacier

Entry ID: K042_1976_1977_NZ_1

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Summary

Abstract: Investigations into the processes of debris entrainment and the formation of a debris layer within glacial ice was conducted. The glacial ice velocity at various points on the Taylor Glacier was conducted over several seasons to establish a model of entrainment, transport and deposition of glacial debris by polar ice. In the 1975-1976 season, three rows of poles (18) were placed on the lower 800 m ... of the Taylor Glacier (ice velocity and ablation network). The poles were accurately located using theodolite and tellurometer from three trig stations established on the sides of the valley. The height of each pole above the ice was also measured. In the 1976-1977 season, the network was extended and the poles were remeasured twice for approximate movement and ablation measurements, early and late in the expedition. Ice temperature measurements were taken from two holes in the glacier to depths of 17.5 and 15m. Supraglacial pebble sampling was undertaken at 33 sites on the glacier in an attempt to determine whether various lithologies have differing rates of breakdown under the processes of fast shattering and freeze thaw. Englacial and proglacial pebble samples were collected to determine the degree of rounding and/or facetting on pebbles of different lithologies. Ice samples were collected and sectioned and described to determine general trends in the petrography between various types of ice, which will be related to the origins of englacial debris and clean ice layers. Gravity profiles were carried out perpendicular to the flow the Taylor Glacier with 90 stations occupied. In the 1977-1978 season, ice velocity, ablation and temperature measurements were again measured. A study of basal ice along the margins of the Taylor Glacier revealed englacial sediment concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 60 percent. Movement of this basal debris-rich ice was measured. Further englacial and proglacial sediment sampling was undertaken and basic textural sediment analysis was completed to determine different sedimentary environments from sedimentological characteristics. In the 1978-1979 season, an early trip was made to the Taylor Glacier to complete the englacial sediment sampling and to observe englacial structures before the melt bagan. This was extended to investigate the dry valley alpine glaciers including the Rhone, Sykes, Albreich and Sandy Glaciers. Comparisons were made of the englacial sediment textures, ice structures and the products of deposition and these indicate that the mechanisms of debris incorporation for these glaciers differ from the Taylor Glacier.

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Description: Collected samples are held in the PETLAB database of GNS Science. Search under Collector = P Robinson and Country = Antarctica.

Geographic Coverage

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Spatial coordinates

N: -77.55

S: -77.75

E: 164.0

W: 161.0

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 1975-12-12

Stop Date: 1975-12-31

Location Keywords

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > Taylor Valley

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > Taylor Glacier

GEOGRAPHIC REGION > POLAR

Science Keywords

SOLID EARTH > GEOMORPHIC LANDFORMS/PROCESSES > GLACIAL LANDFORMS

CRYOSPHERE > GLACIERS/ICE SHEETS > GLACIER MASS BALANCE/ICE SHEET MASS BALANCE

CRYOSPHERE > GLACIERS/ICE SHEETS > GLACIER MOTION/ICE SHEET MOTION

ISO Topic Category

GEOSCIENTIFIC INFORMATION

INLAND WATERS

Platform

FIELD SURVEYS

GROUND-BASED OBSERVATIONS

FIELD INVESTIGATION

Quality All data relating to this study can be found in the publications. Collected samples are catalogued in the PETLAB database and are held at either GNS Science or Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.

Data Set Progress

COMPLETE

Data Center

Antarctica New Zealand, New Zealand Antarctic Institute, New Zealand

Data Center URL: http://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/

Data Center Personnel
Name: SHULAMIT GORDON Phone: +64 3 358 0200 Fax: +64 3 358 0211 Email: s.gordon at antarcticanz.govt.nz Contact Address: Antarctica New Zealand Private Bag 4745 City: Christchurch Country: New Zealand

Personnel

CEISHA POIROT

Role: DIF AUTHOR

Phone: +64 3 358 0200

Fax: +64 3 358 0211

Email: c.poirot at antarcticanz.govt.nz

Contact Address:

Antarctica New Zealand

Private Bag 4745

City: Christchurch

Country: New Zealand

SHULAMIT GORDON

Role: DIF AUTHOR

Phone: +64 3 358 0200

Fax: +64 3 358 0211

Email: s.gordon at antarcticanz.govt.nz

Contact Address:

Antarctica New Zealand

Private Bag 4745

City: Christchurch

Country: New Zealand

Publications/References

Barrett, P., Collen, J., Eggers, A., Palmer, A., Robinson, P., Sillars, K. 1976. Immediate Report of Victoria University Antarctica Expedition 1975-76.

Creation and Review Dates

DIF Creation Date: 2009-06-24

Last DIF Revision Date: 2009-07-01

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