The structural glaciology, ice marginal landforms, sediments and movement of the Suess Glacier, Taylor Valley, Antarctica
Entry ID:
K064_1994_2005_NZ_1
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Summary
Abstract:
The structural glaciology, ice marginal landforms, sediments and movement of the Suess Glacier, Taylor Valley, Antarctica was investigated over several seasons. Preliminary work was completed with observation of the structural glaciology. Ice cores were sampled from the moraines adjacent to the Suess glacier. The structure and sedimentology was recorded. Samples of ice from the basal debris zone ... were taken and examined for crystallography, chemical composition, gas content and isotopic composition. Ice samples were also cut from the foot of the glacier cliff and recovered from the surface of the glacier and analysed to determine debris concentrations, recover sediment within the ice and to store liquid samples (5L) for chemical analysis. Direct observations of the composition, structure and motion of the ice close to the glacier bed were examined. Basal ice structures were mapped onto graph paper and ice movement was monitored by excavating a 24m long tunnel at the base of the glacier. Ice movement was measured using plumb lines, displacement transducers (left in the tunnel over winter) and (over 20) strain arrays of bolts mounted in the tunnel walls, re-measured in subsequent seasons. The strength of the basal ice and material at the base of the glacier was examined with shear tests. A set of cores was drilled from the glacier ice, basal ice and glacier substrate for laboratory triaxial tests. A 4m high gallery was cut in the tunnel to expose the entire basal zone. Two complete sets of blocks were sampled and analysed for the gas and isotopic signatures of the ice and the base cations and chlorides present. A glacier core was drilled from the surface to the base, approximately 50m long, but the core did not penetrate the glacier bed. Four ice cores were drilled at different location on Lake Popplewell, the ice-dammed lake of the Suess Glacier. The cores were analysed for stable isotopes, major ions, total gas content and gas composition and ice textural and structural studies were also performed. Laser scanning of the termini of the glacier was undertaken to characterize the glacier apron, measure the glacier cliff, calculate glacier cliff movement and create a 3D model of the glacier margin. Some of the work undertaken on this glacier was compared with work carried out through another Antarctic program on the Meserve, LaCroix, Clark and Canada Glaciers. 
Geographic Coverage
(Click for Interactive Map)
Spatial coordinates
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N: -77.6
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S: -77.8
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E: 162.85
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W: 162.5
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Parent DIF
This data set description is a member of a collection. The
collection is described in
K064_1994_2005_NZ
Temporal Coverage
Start Date:
1994-12-22
Stop Date:
1995-01-20
Start Date:
1996-01-05
Stop Date:
1996-01-29
Start Date:
1996-12-07
Stop Date:
1997-01-25
Start Date:
1997-12-15
Stop Date:
1998-01-22
Start Date:
1998-11-24
Stop Date:
1998-12-18
Start Date:
1999-11-26
Stop Date:
2000-02-05
Start Date:
2000-12-30
Stop Date:
2001-01-24
Start Date:
2001-12-05
Stop Date:
2002-01-13
Quality
Any existing samples that have not been used are stored in a MAF-registered transitional facilities in the Geography department at the University of Otago, New Zealand. All data is in the thesis and publication. Please contact the investigator for more information.
Data Set Progress
COMPLETE
Personnel
Role:
INVESTIGATOR
Phone:
+64 3 479 8786
Fax:
+64 3 479 9037
Email:
sjf at geography.otago.ac.nz
Contact Address:
Department of Geography
University of Otago
PO BOX 59
City:
Dunedin
Country:
New Zealand
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
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
Lambourne, A. 1998. Physical and chemical composition of basal ice from the Suess Glacier, Antarctica. Unpublished BSc (hons) dissertation, in Geography, at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. 84 pp. Larking, R. 1997. The composition, structure and dynamics of a dry-based glacier apron. Unpublished BSc (hons) dissertation, in Geography, at the University of ... Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. 68pp.
Mager, S. 1996. Sediment transport in dry-based glaciers : an assessment of sedimentary signatures imprinted by glacial transportation. Unpublished BSc (hons) dissertation, in Geography, at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. 78 pp.
Sirota, P. 1999. The structure and strength of basal ice in the Suess Glacier, Antarctica. Unpublished BSc (hons) dissertation, in Geography, at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. 92 pp.
Mager, S. and Fitzsimons, S. 2001. Sediment transport in dry-based glaciers: an assessment of the sedimentary signatures imprinted by glacial modification [Abstract]. Presented at: 2001 Geography A Spatial Odyssey, Joint Conference of the New Zealand Geographical Society and the Institute of Australian Geographers in Dunedin, in February 2001
Webb, N. 2003. Cold-based glacier apron morphology, structure, and composition : a multifaceted approach to testing basal ice formation by apron incorporation. Unpublished BSc (hons) dissertation, in Geography, at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. 86 pp.
Sleewaegen, S. Samyn, D. Fitzsimons, S.J. Lorrain, R.D. Equifinality of basal ice facies from an Antarctic cold-based glacier. Annals of glaciology 37: 257-262, 2003.
Fitzsimons, S.J. McManus, K.J. Sirota, P. Lorrain, R. Direct shear tests of materials from a cold glacier: implications for landform development. Quaternary international 86(1): 129-137, 2001.
Fitzsimons, S.J. McManus, K.J. Lorrain, R. Structure and strength of basal ice and substrate of a dry-based glacier: evidence for substrate deformation at sub-freezing temperatures. Annals of glaciology 28: 236-240, 1999.
Creation and Review Dates
DIF Creation Date:
2005-09-22
Last DIF Revision Date:
2009-03-27
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