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McMurdo Sound Sediment and Tectonic Studies (MSSTS)

Entry ID: McMurdo_Sound_Sediment_and_Tectonic_Study

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Summary

Abstract: The main purpose of the MSSTS project is to obtain a record of the early history of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet and to date its initiation in the Ross Sea region. In addition, it was hoped to relate the offshore sedimentary sequence in McMurdo Sound to the strata cored inland of the Transantarctic Mountain Front and hence gauge the extent of late Cenozoic movement. Preliminary investigations were ... conducted in the 1978-1979 season to locate and determine the physical condition at two sites proposed for the drilling. For each site local bathymetry was determined and an access hole then opened for current measurements and sea floor sampling. The drill rigs were located on top of the sea ice and therefore measurements of the tides, ice thickness and deflection of sea ice near the rig were all measured. One site was cored for rock over 196m deep water. The drill reached a depth of 229.6m below the sea floor. 73 cores were collected with 44% recovery. Collected rock cores were described as soon as they were retrieved. The description comprised two elements, i) graphic log - used to show bedding features, location of fossils, pebbles and sample prints for petrographic or paleontological slides, ii) lithology. On average, one smear slide for petrographic study was prepared for each section of the core, though more may have been completed where the core was highly variable. The main value of the smear slide is in estimating proportions of biogenic components and in determining the proportion of biogenic to terrigenous material. In addition, paleontology and biostratigraphy were conducted and the core was photographed and sampled to maintain a record that can be sent to the science community. The core was analysed to detect any gas to ensure the safety of the drilling operation. After the core was retrieved and described, sonic velocity and density were also measured. Once drilling was completed, temperatures were measured down the drill hole. In addition, geophysical surveys were taken around the drill site area. An across sound survey was conducted at 5km intervals along six lines approximately normal to the axis of McMurdo Sound. At each beacon site (5km intervals) extensive piston coring, bottom photography, bathymetric and gravity surveys were conducted. However, electronic problems with the triggering of the camera prevented any underwater photography and the piston coring was only partially successful.

Related URL

Link: GET DATA

Description: This link takes you to the page in the Antarctic Marine Geology Research Facility at Florida State University that covers the MSSTS study. There is a link to a PDF copy of the MSSTS Project Report.

Geographic Coverage

(Click for Interactive Map)

Spatial coordinates

	N: -77.56	S: -77.56	E: 164.39	W: 164.39

Min Depth: 0 Max Depth: 229.6 M BELOW SEAFLOOR

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 1979-10-21

Stop Date: 1979-11-22

Location Keywords

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > MCMURDO SOUND

GEOGRAPHIC REGION > POLAR

Science Keywords

PALEOCLIMATE > OCEAN/LAKE RECORDS > SEDIMENTS

PALEOCLIMATE > OCEAN/LAKE RECORDS > STRATIGRAPHIC SEQUENCE

SOLID EARTH > GEOMORPHIC LANDFORMS/PROCESSES > TECTONIC LANDFORMS

PALEOCLIMATE > OCEAN/LAKE RECORDS > BOREHOLES

ISO Topic Category

GEOSCIENTIFIC INFORMATION

Platform

LABORATORY

FIELD INVESTIGATION

Instrument

ROCK CORERS

Quality The results from studies using the rock cores are all published. Actual cores are stores at the Antarctic Marine Geology Research Uni of Florida State University. Please contact the investigator for more information.

Ancillary Keywords

bathymetry

sea current measurements

seafloor samples

rock cores

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