Collaborative Research: West Antarctic Ice-Sheet and Alpine Glacier Variability During the Latest Pleistocene: An Integrated Radar, Drilling and Exposure-Age Study in McMurdo Sound

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole MA

Investigators

Abstract

Prentice et. al: OPP 0003792 Kurz: OPP 0003873 This award supports a one year lab-based study which will allow a detailed calibration between ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data and existing drilled sediment sequences from Lower Taylor Valley, which will improve the lithostratigraphy in the region. In addition, exposure-age dating of existing samples from the Hjorth Hill locality in Taylor Valley will also be carried out in order to test the multiple drift-sheet interpretation of the GPR data. All of the goals described in the revised scope of work are consistent with the goal of the original proposal, which was to resolve multiple WAIS glaciations and regional climate change. This work is complementary to studies of the variability of the West Antarctic ice sheet (WAIS) and will help to improve resolution of alpine and piedmont glacier variability during the latest Pleistocene.