Science Keywords>LAND SURFACE>LANDSCAPE>LANDSCAPE PROCESSES

The role of moisture in rock weathering at Gneiss Point, Victoria Land, Antarctica

Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Metadata:
Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Unknown
Publication_Date: Unknown
Title: The role of moisture in rock weathering at Gneiss Point, Victoria Land, Antarctica
Description:
Abstract:
Field measurements and rock samples were taken at Gneiss Point (02-03) to determine the role of moisture in rock weathering processes along the Victoria land Coast. Surface and sub-surface temperatures were taken from rocks in the area. Holes were drilled into the rock at 45mm, 90mm and 400mm depths with thermocouples inserted and attached. Measurements were made at one-minute intervals during each physical visit in order to determine the number of times the temperature gradients at either the surface or the individual depths exceeded 2° C per minute, a recognised threshold for thermal weathering to occur. The data loggers were then set to record the temperature hourly for the October to January period. Surface and sub-surface moisture content was also measured. Surface moisture sensors were attached to the rock surface measuring date, time of surface moisture event and their magnitude. The time events happened was analysed to see how they correlated with changes in moisture at depth within the rock. Manual measurement were recorded at 45mm and 90mm depths within the rock for a 48 hour period. In addition to these measurements the hardness of the rock site was conducted using a Schmidt Hammer and a sonometer (to measure velocity of sound waves) as proxies for rock strength, digital images of rock surfaces were taken, estimation of the availability of moisture using a rainfall sensor, a general description of the area including GPS co-ordinates, weather characteristics and other relevant features were taken, solar radiation, rock albedo and position of shadows were measures and a series of weather observations was undertaken including; air temperature, air pressure, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, cloud cover and type, visibility and precipitation conditions. Rock samples were collected for later use in laboratory simulations and analysed for their mineral and chemical composition. An empirically based mathematical model will be developed that will predict changes in weathering rate depending on changes in moisture in the rock. In the 04/05 season data on rock surface and sub-surface temperatures at 1 minute intervals, manual recordings of moisture at 45mm and 90mm depths within the rock every 4 hours for approximately 4 days for each of 2 aspects and repeated rock strength, samples and other measurements were carried out.
Purpose:
Not Available
Supplemental_Information:
REFERENCE: Elliott, C. Modelling the influence of moisture variations on physical rock weathering processes in Antarctica: proposed investigations and preliminary results. in: Extended abstracts - 8th International Conference on Permafrost, Zurich, Switzerland, July 20-25, 2003. Haeberli W. Brandova D. (eds): International Permafrost Association. 2003. pp.31-32
Supplemental_Information:
REFERENCE: Elliott, C. Surface moisture availability and rock weathering in cold climates. New Zealand geographer 60(1): 44-51, 2003.
Supplemental_Information:
REFERENCE: Elliott, C. Antarctica, Scott Base and environs. New Zealand geographer 61: 68-76, 2005.
Supplemental_Information:
REFERENCE: Elliott, C. Rock weathering along the Victoria Land coast, Antarctica. Ph.D., University of Canterbury. 2006.
Supplemental_Information:
REFERENCE: Elliott, C. 2008. Influence of temperature and moisture availability on physical rock weathering along the Victoria Land Coast, Antarctica. Antarctic Science 20: 61-67.
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 20021017
Ending_Date: 20041122
Currentness_Reference:Unknown
Status:
Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: As needed
Spatial_Domain:
Description_of_Geographic_Extent:
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: 163.7333
East_Bounding_Coordinate: 163.7333
North_Bounding_Coordinate: -77.4
South_Bounding_Coordinate: -77.4
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: GCMD SCIENCE PARAMETERS
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: GCMD INSTRUMENT
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: PROJECT
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO TOPIC CATEGORY
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: DATA SET LANGUAGE
Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE > TEMPERATURE PROFILES
Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > PRECIPITATION > SNOW
Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > LAND SURFACE > EROSION/SEDIMENTATION > EROSION
Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > SOLID EARTH > ROCKS/MINERALS/CRYSTALS
Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > LAND SURFACE > LANDSCAPE > LANDSCAPE PROCESSES
Theme_Keyword: THERMOCOUPLES
Theme_Keyword: LGP > LATITUDINAL GRADIENT PROJECT
Theme_Keyword: EBA > EVOLUTION AND BIODIVERSITY IN THE ANTARCTIC
Theme_Keyword: CLIMATOLOGY/METEOROLOGY/ATMOSPHERE
Theme_Keyword: GEOSCIENTIFIC INFORMATION
Theme_Keyword: ENGLISH
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: GCMD
Place_Keyword: CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > VICTORIA LAND COAST
Place_Keyword: CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > GNEISS POINT
Place_Keyword: GEOGRAPHIC REGION > POLAR
Temporal:
Temporal_Keyword_Thesaurus: GCMD
Temporal_Keyword: Hourly
Temporal_Keyword: Hourly - < Daily
Access_Constraints: Not Available
Use_Constraints:
Not Available
Point_of_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: CHRISTINE ELLIOTT
Contact_Position: INVESTIGATOR
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address
Address: Department of Geography
Address: University of Canterbury
City: Private Bag
State_or_Province: Christchurch
Postal_Code: 4800
Country: NEW ZEALAND
Contact_Voice_Telephone: +64 3 366 7001
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: c.elliot@canterbury.ac.nz
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Data_Quality_Information:
Attribute_Accuracy:
Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
Not Available
Logical_Consistency_Report:
Not Available
Completeness_Report:
Not Available
Lineage:
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Not Available
Process_Date: Unknown
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Spatial_Reference_Information:
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Distribution_Information:
Distributor:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: NZ/NZAI/ANZ > Antarctica New Zealand, New Zealand Antarctic Institute, New Zealand
Contact_Person: SHULAMIT GORDON
Contact_Position: DATA CENTER CONTACT
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address
Address: Antarctica New Zealand
Address: Private Bag 4745
City: Christchurch
Country: New Zealand
Contact_Voice_Telephone: +64 3 358 0200
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: +64 3 358 0211
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: s.gordon@antarcticanz.govt.nz
Resource_Description: K056_2002_2005_NZ_1
Distribution_Liability:
Not Available
Standard_Order_Process:
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: Not Available
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name:
http://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/
Access_Instructions:
DATA CENTER URL
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name:
http://www.geog.canterbury.ac.nz/department/staff/...
Access_Instructions:
University of Canterbury, Christchurch New Zealand
Fees: Not Available
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Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 20050726
Metadata_Review_Date: 20080305
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: SHULAMIT GORDON
Contact_Position: DIF AUTHOR
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address
Address: Antarctica New Zealand
Address: Private Bag 4745
City: Christchurch
Country: New Zealand
Contact_Voice_Telephone: +64 3 358 0200
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: +64 3 358 0211
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: s.gordon@antarcticanz.govt.nz
Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998
Metadata_Time_Convention: local time
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