Silicon Isotopes Reveal a Non-Glacial Source of Silicon to Crescent Stream, Mcmurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
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The Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1955-1958
THE COMMONWEALTH TRANS-ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION 1955-1958 HOW THE CROSSING OF ANTARCTICA MOVED NEW ZEALAND TO RECOGNISE ITS ANTARCTIC HERITAGE AND TAKE AN EQUAL PLACE AMONG ANTARCTIC NATIONS A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree PhD - Doctor of Philosophy (Antarctic Studies – History) University of Canterbury Gateway Antarctica Stephen Walter Hicks 2015 Statement of Authority & Originality I certify that the work in this thesis has not been previously submitted for a degree nor has it been submitted as part of requirements for a degree except as fully acknowledged within the text. I also certify that the thesis has been written by me. Any help that I have received in my research and the preparation of the thesis itself has been acknowledged. In addition, I certify that all information sources and literature used are indicated in the thesis. Elements of material covered in Chapter 4 and 5 have been published in: Electronic version: Stephen Hicks, Bryan Storey, Philippa Mein-Smith, ‘Against All Odds: the birth of the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1955-1958’, Polar Record, Volume00,(0), pp.1-12, (2011), Cambridge University Press, 2011. Print version: Stephen Hicks, Bryan Storey, Philippa Mein-Smith, ‘Against All Odds: the birth of the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1955-1958’, Polar Record, Volume 49, Issue 1, pp. 50-61, Cambridge University Press, 2013 Signature of Candidate ________________________________ Table of Contents Foreword .................................................................................................................................. -
Draft ASMA Plan for Dry Valleys
Measure 18 (2015) Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Managed Area No. 2 MCMURDO DRY VALLEYS, SOUTHERN VICTORIA LAND Introduction The McMurdo Dry Valleys are the largest relatively ice-free region in Antarctica with approximately thirty percent of the ground surface largely free of snow and ice. The region encompasses a cold desert ecosystem, whose climate is not only cold and extremely arid (in the Wright Valley the mean annual temperature is –19.8°C and annual precipitation is less than 100 mm water equivalent), but also windy. The landscape of the Area contains mountain ranges, nunataks, glaciers, ice-free valleys, coastline, ice-covered lakes, ponds, meltwater streams, arid patterned soils and permafrost, sand dunes, and interconnected watershed systems. These watersheds have a regional influence on the McMurdo Sound marine ecosystem. The Area’s location, where large-scale seasonal shifts in the water phase occur, is of great importance to the study of climate change. Through shifts in the ice-water balance over time, resulting in contraction and expansion of hydrological features and the accumulations of trace gases in ancient snow, the McMurdo Dry Valley terrain also contains records of past climate change. The extreme climate of the region serves as an important analogue for the conditions of ancient Earth and contemporary Mars, where such climate may have dominated the evolution of landscape and biota. The Area was jointly proposed by the United States and New Zealand and adopted through Measure 1 (2004). This Management Plan aims to ensure the long-term protection of this unique environment, and to safeguard its values for the conduct of scientific research, education, and more general forms of appreciation. -
Xrf Analyses of Granitoids and Associated
X.R.F ANALYSES OF GRANITOIDS AND ASSOCIATED ROCKS FROM SOUTH VICTORIA LAND, ANTARCTICA K. Palmer Analytical Facility Victoria University of Wellington Private Bag Wellington NEW ZEALAND Contents Page 1 Introduction 1 Sample Preparation 2 Analytical Procedures 4 Acknowledgments 5 References 6 Tables of Analytical Data 11 Tables of Sample Descriptions 17 Location Maps 22 Appendix 1 23 Appendix 2 Research School of Earth Sciences Geology Board of Studies Publication No.3 Victoria University of Wellington ISSN 0113-1168 Analytical Facility Contribution No. 12 ISSN 0111-1337 Antarctic Data Series No.13 ISSN 0375-8192 1987 INTRODUCTION The granitoid rocks of South Victoria Land are represented in some of the earliest geological studies of Antarctica. Indeed as early as 1841 granitoids were dredged from the sea-floor off Victoria Land on the voyages of the Erebus and Terror. Early workers such as Ferrar and Prior described granitoids collected in situ by members of the Discovery expedition (1901-1904). Some years later further granitoid descriptions and the occasional chemical analysis were presented by such workers as David, Priestly, Mawson and Smith. In more recent times, samples collected by Gunn and Warren (1962) and analysed by the United States Geological Survey were presented in Harrington et.al. (1967). The first detailed study of granitoids in South Victoria Land was by Ghent & Henderson (1968) who, although examining only a small area in the lower Taylor Valley revealed for the first time the diverse range of granitoid types and emplacement processes in this region. This work was followed up by a relatively detailed major and trace element geochemical study, (Ghent,1970). -
Thesis Approval
THESIS APPROVAL The abstract and thesis of Robin Rachelle Johnston for the Master of Science in Geology presented February 12, 2004, and accepted by the thesis committee and the department. COMMITTEE APPROVALS: ________________________________________ Andrew G. Fountain, Chair ________________________________________ Christina L. Hulbe ________________________________________ Martin J. Streck ________________________________________ Aslam Khalil Representative of the Office of Graduate Studies DEPARTMENTAL APPROVAL: ________________________________________ Michael L. Cummings, Chair Department of Geology ABSTRACT An abstract of the thesis of Robin Rachelle Johnston for the Master of Science in Geology presented February 12, 2004 Title: Channel Morphology and Surface Energy Balance on Taylor Glacier, Taylor Valley, Antarctica Deeply-incised channels on Taylor Glacier in Taylor Valley, Antarctica initiate as medial moraines traced tens of kilometers up-glacier, are aligned with the direction of flow, and at their most developed occupy about 40% of the ablation zone in the lower reaches of the glacier. Development of the South Channel occurs in three stages. The first stage, the 1st Steady State, is characterized by rather uniform development, where the channel widens at much less than 0.1 m yr-1 and deepens at much less than 0.01 m yr-1, maintaining a width to depth ratio of about 8. The second stage, the Transition Phase, is characterized by dramatic widening channel (from 10 to 110 m) and deepening (from 2 to 24 m). During this stage, the peak rate of widening is about 1.5 m yr-1 and the channel is about 25 times as wide as it is deep. The third stage of channel development, the 2nd Steady State, is characterized by a steady decrease in the rate of channel deepening and a leveling off of the width to depth ratio as the channel ceases to widen. -
Landscape Evolution of the Dry Valleys, Transantarctic Mountains: Tectonic Implications David E
The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine Earth Science Faculty Scholarship Earth Sciences 6-10-1995 Landscape Evolution of the Dry Valleys, Transantarctic Mountains: Tectonic Implications David E. Sugden George H. Denton University of Maine - Main, [email protected] David R. Marchant Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/ers_facpub Part of the Earth Sciences Commons Repository Citation Sugden, David E.; Denton, George H.; and Marchant, David R., "Landscape Evolution of the Dry Valleys, Transantarctic Mountains: Tectonic Implications" (1995). Earth Science Faculty Scholarship. 55. https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/ers_facpub/55 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in Earth Science Faculty Scholarship by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. For more information, please contact [email protected]. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, VOL. 100, NO. B7, PAGES 9949-9967, JUNE 10, 1995 Landscapeevolution of the Dry Valleys,Transantarctic Mountains: Tectonicimplications David E. Sugden Departmentof Geography,University of Edinburgh,Edinburgh, Scotland GeorgeH. Denton Departmentof GeologicalSciences and Institute for QuaternaryStudies, University of Maine,Orono DavidR. Marchant• Departmentof Geography,University of Edinburgh,Edinburgh, Scotland Abstract. Thereare differentviews about the amount and timing of surfaceuplift in the TransantarcticMountains and the geophysicalmechanisms involved. Our new interpretationof the landscapeevolution and tectonichistory of the Dry Valleysarea of the Transantarctic Mountainsis basedon geomorphic mapping of anarea of 10,000km 2. Thelandforms are dated mainlyby their associationwith volcanicashes and glaciomarine deposits and this permitsa reconsmactionof the stagesand timing of landscapeevolution. Followinga loweringof baselevel about55 m.y. ago,there was a phaseof rapid denudationassociated with planationand escarpmentretreat, probably under semiarid conditions. -
Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Protected Area No 172
Measure 6 (2018) Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Protected Area No 172 Lower Taylor Glacier and Blood Falls, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Victoria Land Introduction Blood Falls is an iron-rich saline discharge located at the terminus of the Taylor Glacier, Taylor Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys. The source of the discharge is believed to be a subglacial extensive brine aquifer located beneath the measureable length (~5 km) of the ablation zone of the Taylor Glacier, estimated to be located between one to six kilometres above Blood Falls. Approximate area and coordinates: sub-surface area 436km2 (centered at 161°40.230'E, 77°50.220'S); sub-aerial area 0.11km2 (centered at the Blood Falls discharge at 162°15.809'E, 77°43.365'). The primary reasons for designation of the Area are its unique physical properties, and the unusual microbial ecology and geochemistry. The Area is an important site for exobiological studies and provides a unique opportunity to sample the subglacial environment without direct contact. The influence of Blood Falls on adjacent Lake Bonney is also of significant scientific interest. Furthermore, the ablation zone of the Taylor Glacier is an important site for paleoclimatic and glaciological research. The lower Taylor Glacier subglacial brine reservoir and Blood Falls are globally unique and a site of outstanding scientific importance. Designation of the Area allows for scientific access to ice deep within Taylor Glacier, provided measures are in place to ensure this does not compromise the Blood Falls reservoir and hydrological system. Under the Environmental Domains Analysis for Antarctica (Resolution 3 (2008)) the Area lies within Environment S – McMurdo – South Victoria Land geologic. -
MS 1003 T.G. Taylor Series 12. Box 48. F. Debenham, British (Terra Nova) Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913: Report on the Maps and Surveys (London, 1923)
MS 1003 T.G. Taylor Series 12. Box 48. F. Debenham, British (Terra Nova) Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913: Report on the Maps and Surveys (London, 1923) Map VII The Ferrar Koettlitz Region. Scale 1:200,000; Projection: Simple Conical 72. From the point of view of the geologist and the ice specialist, this is perhaps the most important map of the series, and although a good part of it is in broken line, that is to say, based on sketch surveys, it is hoped that it will be of value for their purposes. Sources and Framework: The basis of the map is that produced by Lieutenant Mulock from the surveys of Armitage and Ferrar and from some observations of his own on the Discovery Expedition. Minor corrections and additions have been made to that map where later data were available, while the part north of the Kukri Hills and on the upper Koettlitz Valley is new. The original map was a compilation, and the present one is a compilation of a series of more or less independent local surveys made from rounds of angles with the theodolite by C.S. Wright. To plot these angles a selection of points had to be assumed correct, and choice was made of Mount Lister, the Pimple and Mount Higgins for the coastal strip, and Obelisk and Knobhead Mountains for the Ferrar and Taylor Glaciers. It was obvious when fitting the observations that there were bad discrepancies in the positions of these points taken from the original map, and a certain amount of arbitrary adjustment was necessary. -
Aeolian Sediments of the Mcmurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica a Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the D
Aeolian Sediments of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica A Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for The Degree Master of Science in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Kelly Marie Deuerling, B.S. Graduate Program in Geological Sciences The Ohio State University 2010 Master‘s Examination Committee: Dr. W. Berry Lyons, Advisor Dr. Michael Barton Dr. Garry D. McKenzie Copyright by Kelly Marie Deuerling 2010 ABSTRACT The role of dust has become a topic of increasing interest in the interface between climate and geological/ecological sciences. Dust emitted from major sources, the majority of which are desert regions in the Northern Hemisphere, is transported via suspension in global wind systems and incorporated into the biogeochemical cycles of the ecosystems where it is ultimately deposited. While emissions within the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) region of Antarctica are small compared to other source regions, the redistribution of new, reactive material by wind may be important to sustaining life in the ecosystem. The interaction of the dry, warm foehn winds and the cool, moist coastal breezes ―recycles‖ soil particles throughout the landscape. The bulk of sediment movement occurs during foehn events in the winter that redistribute material throughout the MDV. To understand the source and transfer of this material samples were collected early in the austral summer (November 2008) prior to the initiation of extensive ice melt from glacial and lake surfaces, aeolian landforms, and elevated sediment traps. These were preserved and processed for grain size distribution and major element composition at the sand and silt particle sizes. -
Dynamics and Mass Balance of Taylor Glacier, Antarctica: 1
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, VOL. 114, F04010, doi:10.1029/2009JF001309, 2009 Dynamics and mass balance of Taylor Glacier, Antarctica: 1. Geometry and surface velocities J. L. Kavanaugh,1 K. M. Cuffey,2 D. L. Morse,3 H. Conway,4 and E. Rignot5 Received 15 March 2009; revised 14 June 2009; accepted 7 July 2009; published 3 November 2009. [1] Taylor Glacier, Antarctica, exemplifies a little-studied type of outlet glacier, one that flows slowly through a region of rugged topography and dry climate. This glacier, in addition, connects the East Antarctic Ice Sheet with the McMurdo Dry Valleys, a region much studied for geomorphology, paleoclimate, and ecology. Here we report extensive new measurements of surface velocities, ice thicknesses, and surface elevations, acquired with InSAR, GPS, and GPR. The latter two were used to construct elevation models of the glacier’s surface and bed. Ice velocities in 2002–2004 closely matched those in 2000 and the mid-1970s, indicating negligible interannual variations of flow. Comparing velocities with bed elevations shows that, along much of the glacier, flow concentrates in a narrow axis of relatively fast flowing ice that overlies a bedrock trough. The flow of the glacier over major undulations in its bed can be regarded as a ‘‘cascade’’; it speeds up over bedrock highs and through valley narrows and slows down over deep basins and in wide spots. This pattern is an expected consequence of mass conservation for a glacier near steady state. Neither theory nor data from this Taylor Glacier study support the alternative view, recently proposed, that an outlet glacier of this type trickles slowly over bedrock highs and flows fastest over deep basins. -
Mcmurdo Sound, Antarctica) Report 825-2-Part IX IGY Project No
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION USNC-IGY ANTARCTIC GLACIOLOGICAL DATA FIELD WORK I958 AMD 1959 (Multiple Glaciation in the McMurdo Sound, Antarctica) Report 825-2-Part IX IGY Project No. U.10 NSF Grant No. Y/ii.lO/285 Troy L. Pewe' February i960 USNC-IGY ANTARCTIC GLACIOLOGICAL DATA Report Number 2i Field Work 1958-59 Part DC MULTIPLE GLACIATION IN THE McMURDO SOUND, ANTARCTICA The Ohio State University Research Foundation Colambus 12, Ohio Project 825P Report Noo 2,, Part IX Submitted to the Uo So National Committee for the IGY National. Academy of Sciences^ in partial fulfillment of IGY Project Number 4,10 - NSF Grant No. Y/lMO/285 February i960 TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract « <> „ « „ o • „ « o • o • <> . „ • <>o 2 Introduction o » * * o <><> 2 Physical setting «, • « « „ • • * o o „ o * o * * 3 Physiography and geology <>,>*ooooo«oooo* 3 Cli mate O O » O O O O » * 0 Q O O * O O O « « O O 0 » « » O O O O 6 Glacial chronology <, • <, <> • o o o * • • «> „ <> 0 8 McMurdo Glaciation • o o • • o • • <> * • o o o <> o 8 Taylor Glaciation • . • . • . • • . o «. • • • . • * . • o o o « 12 Glacial lakes O O O O O . O O O Q ^ O O O O ^ . O O O O O O 16 Fryxwell Glaciation •••••••••••••••••••••• 16 Glacial lakes a o o . o 20 Koettlitz Glaciation • . o . « . • « . • 20 Glacial lakes o • • 23 Summary and correlation • . o . • • * • • • • • 23 References cited •••••••••••••• • 26 li LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page lo Sketch map of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica showing extent of existing glaciers * o <> . <> o o 0 <> o o • o o o o * o o o o I4 -
We Thank the Anonymous Reviewers for Their Time
We thank the anonymous reviewers for their time, expertise, and their insightful and helpful suggestions to make the manuscript more accessible, accurate, and impactful. Anonymous Referee #1 Received and published: 26 June 2019 Summary: Comment 1: This article looks at a rock glacier in Taylor Valley and concludes that observed glacial successions are useful for studying past climates in the MDV. Overall, I think the article is well described and written, but I do have issues with their age estimate based on pond salts, as well as the description of the pond samples. Unfortunately, this is a key argument in the paper, so the lack of an age constraint requires changes to the discussion and conclusions. However, I don’t think this greatly impacts the overall point. Reply to Comment 1: We have replied to the reviewer’s specific comments about the lake samples and the age estimate below. Detailed comments: Comment 2: Figure 2: I know that you can tell what is downhill from the contours, but at first glance the figure seems turned around and was quite confusing, until I realized it was oriented differently from Fig. 1. I recommend including a big bold arrow and ‘downhill’ text, so that this is immediately clear. Author changes in manuscript: Figure 2: We flipped the orientation of Figure 2 so that North is up. Figure 8: We flipped the orientation of Figure 8 so that North is up. Comment 3: Section 3.2: I’m a little confused as to exactly what samples were collected from the ponds, so more clarity is needed. -
Diabase Sheets of the Taylor Glacier Region Victoria Land, Antarctica
Diabase Sheets of the Taylor Glacier Region Victoria Land, Antarctica GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 456-B Work done in cooperation with the National Science Foundation Diabase Sheets of the Taylor Glacier Region Victoria Land, Antarctica By WARREN HAMILTON With sections on PETROGRAPHY By WARREN HAMILTON, PHILIP T. HAYES, and RONALD CALVERT And sections on CHEMISTRY By WARREN HAMILTON, VERTIE C. SMITH, PAUL S. D. ELMORE, PAUL R. BARNETT, and NANCY CONKLIN CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GEOLOGY OF ANTARCTICA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 456-B Work done in cooperation with the National Science Foundation UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1965 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STEWART L. UDALL, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Thomas B. Nolan, Director For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402 CONTENTS Page Page Abstract______________________________ Bl Petrology of basement sill Continued Introduction. _________________________ 2 Major oxides, by Warren Hamilton, Vertie C. Smith, Location________________________ 2 and Paul S. D. Elmore________________ B37 Present work______________________ 2 Bulk composition_______________________________ 41 Acknowledgments. _______________ 4 Minor elements, by Warren Hamilton, Paul R. Other studies...___________________ 4 Barnett, Vertie C. Smith, and Nancy M. Conklin. 42 Regional setting.__________________ 4 Density-_-___-__---_---_______________________ 45 Geography.._ _________________ 5 Differentiation. ________________________________ 46 Geology. __ ______ _ 6 Petrology of other diabase sheets.____________________ 49 Beacon Sandstone. ________ 7 Petrography, by Warren Hamilton and Philip T. Basement rocks__________ 7 Hayes----_-_-----_---_-__________-___--____- 49 Form of diabase sheets.________________ 7 Chemistry, by Warren Hamilton, Vertie C. Smith, Sheets in Beacon Sandstone. _.____-_ 7 and Paul S.