Title

Glaciology of Blue Ice Areas in Antarctica

Investigators

Gordon Hamilton, Principal Investigator; University of Maine, OronoFollow

Additional Participants

Post-doc

Andrei Kurbatov

Graduate Student

Vandy Spikes
Leigh Stearns

Organizational Partners

Dr. Todd Sowers, Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Nelia Dunbar and Dr. Bill Macintosh, New Mexico Bureau of Mines
Dr. John Moore, University of Lapland Arctic Centre

Other Collaborators

Dr. Martin Siegert, University of Bristol
Dr. Richard Hindmarsh, British Antarctic Survey

Project Period

September 1, 2003-August 31, 2005

Level of Access

Open-Access Report

Grant Number

0229245

Submission Date

4-20-2006

Abstract

A 'horizontal ice core' was collected at the Mount Moulton blue ice field in West Antarctica and preliminary analyses of the sample material suggests that a ~500 kyr climate record is preserved in the ice at this site. This award will contribute to the understanding of the Mt Moulton record by assessing the potential for ice-flow induced deformation of the stratigraphic profile. In addition, this award builds on the recognition of blue ice areas as archives of long climate records by conducting reconnaissance studies for a potential horizontal ice core location at the Allan Hills in East Antarctica. The objectives of this project are to contribute to the glaciological understanding of blue ice areas in Antarctica. Ice flow conditions at the Mt Moulton blue ice field will be studied to assess the possibility that the stratigraphic record has been deformed and reconnaissance of a potential horizontal ice core site in the Allan Hills blue ice field will also be accomplished. Short field programs will be undertaken at each location to collect relevant measurements of ice flow and subglacial topography, and to conduct sampling of material that will enable the preservation of the stratigraphic sequences to be assessed.

Rights and Access Note

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Recommended Citation

Hamilton, Gordon, "Glaciology of Blue Ice Areas in Antarctica" (2006). University of Maine Office of Research Administration: Grant Reports. 66.
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/orsp_reports/66